Texas Football: 4 key injured Longhorns players heading into TCU game

Christian Jones, OT

Another abrupt absence for the Longhorns due to injury in the Kansas State game last weekend was the super senior right tackle, Jones. After dealing with an ankle injury in practice last week, Jones was out for the Kansas State game on Nov. 4. In his place, the gigantic 6-foot-5 and 370-pound sophomore offensive tackle Cam Williams got the start at right tackle opposite Banks.

This was Williams’ first career start for the Kansas State game at right tackle. And he performed well despite three false penalties. Williams was Texas’ second-highest-graded starting offensive lineman in pass protection in the win over Kansas State. He didn’t allow a single quarterback pressure, which was impressive given it was his first career start against an experienced top-25 Kansas State defense.

Texas even had to push junior left guard Hayden Conner over to left tackle for a couple of snaps last weekend against Kansas State when Banks dealt with a shoulder injury. But Banks was only out for a couple of plays on one drive for Texas, and Sark said he practiced Monday.

And it sounds like Banks will be good to go this weekend against TCU, judging by what he said in media availability on Nov. 6.

"“I’m feeling really good, physically I feel fine and I was only out for a few plays so I’ll be good to go for Saturday.”"

Jones snapped the longest active streak of starts for any Texas offensive linemen on the active roster this fall at 42 games since he was out due to injury against Kansas State on Nov. 4.

There was a point in time in the second half against Kansas State when Jones was reportedly seen warming up on the sideline. Given that, there is a likelihood that he could return to action for Texas this weekend on the road against TCU.