Texas Football: There ‘is a chance’ Ethan Burke returns vs. Kansas State

One of the most important games of the regular season for No. 7 Texas football and head coach Steve Sarkisian is ahead on Nov. 4 at home at Darrell K. Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium against the No. 23 Kansas State Wildcats. Texas is healthier as a team than it was over the last couple of weeks heading into the Kansas State game this weekend.

A key injured player for the Longhorns on defense with a positive update this week was sophomore edge rusher Ethan Burke. The second-year EDGE injured his knee in Texas’ narrow 31-24 win on the road two weeks ago over the Houston Cougars. It was the same knee he tweaked earlier in the season.

Texas football EDGE Ethan Burke working his way back from a knee injury

Multiple reports (including from Horns247 on Nov. 2) indicate that Burke had a knee procedure (reportedly a knee scope) last week. He reportedly has made significant progress in the recovery from the knee injury, and “there’s an outside chance” he could return for the Texas defense vs. Kansas State on Nov. 4.

If Burke isn’t able to go against Kansas State in Week 10, he should reportedly be good to go in the following game on the road against the TCU Horned Frogs on Nov. 11.

It sounds like Burke was able to practice for the Longhorns this week leading up to the Kansas State game at home on Nov. 4.

Burke is one of Texas’ leading pass rushers this fall

Before Burke went down with the knee injury against Houston in Week 8, he was on his way to challenging for the outright team lead in sacks. He is still tied with true freshman linebacker Anthony Hill Jr. for the team lead in sacks, with three each. Burke got his third sack of the season before he went down with injury against Houston on Oct. 21.

Texas still dealing with multiple injuries on both sides of the ball

Burke is one of many Longhorns players still dealing with ailments heading into the Kansas State game. Redshirt sophomore quarterback Quinn Ewers (shoulder), senior safety Jalen Catalon (leg), and senior offensive tackle Christian Jones (ankle) are all dealing with ailments that will either limit them or keep them out vs. Kansas State on Nov. 4. Jones is reportedly expected to be active vs. the Wildcats.

Ewers and Catalon are expected to miss this weekend with a possible return against TCU on Nov. 11 at the earliest.