Colin Simmons sidelined mid-game against UTSA with a walking boot on

Last updated at 10:35 p.m. CT on Sept. 19

The Texas defense was putting up an impressive stand against an up-tempo UTSA offense, but star edge rusher Colin Simmons was missing from the rotation.

After earning a single tackle in the first quarter, Simmons' name wasn't being called by the commentators, and during the second half, he was spotted on the sidelines in street clothes and a walking boot.

At halftime, head coach Steve Sarkisian did not comment on Simmons' injury status, and the SEC Network didn't provide any additional information as the second half unfolded.

Texas beat reporter Evan Vieth initially shared that he had spotted Simmons "on the bench with a hat and no jersey on."

Then, David Eckert reported that he had seen Simmons in a walking "boot on his right foot."

Before exiting, Simmons took down UTSA quarterback Owen McCown for a sack on third down, preventing the Roadrunners from finding the end zone in the first half.

Texas going to Tennessee without Colin Simmons could be lethal

While linebacker Rasheem Biles and defensive backs Graceson Littleton and Jelani McDonald may have been the biggest headline makers so far this season, Simmons is undeniably the glue and leader of Texas's defense.

As a third-year returning player, Simmons' presence has been one of the most consistent aspects of a team that has seen a lot of turnover in the last two years.

Before the UTSA matchup, Simmons had earned three total tackles, one sack, and one fumble recovery. He provided relentless pressure last week, helping the Horns mount their 21-point comeback victory.

If he is missing in action with an injury as the Horns prepare to take on their first SEC opponent of the year, the Tennessee Volunteers, next week, it could be a massive red flag for the Texas defense.

The silver lining of this situation is that it is exactly what Sarkisian prepared for this offseason, adding even more talent at nearly every position on his depth chart. That included Biles, who transferred to Texas from Pitt this year.

While Sarkisian and the Horns would obviously never want a player to get injured, the team is significantly better prepared for this kind of scenario than they were even a year ago.

Simmons' fellow edge rusher Zina Umeozulu has been a standout so far this season, earning seven total tackles through the first two games of the year. Colton Vasek, another edge rusher, also had an excellent start to the year, taking a little bit of the pressure off Simmons.

No. 1 Texas and No. 15 Tennessee are scheduled to play at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 26, in Knoxville, TN. As soon as Sarkisian or the program provides an update on Simmons, we will report what we hear.

"I don’t think Colin is serious, I think it’s more precautionary to get him out," Sarkisian said in the postgame press conference. "I think Colin will be fine."

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