The last thing anyone expected when the Texas Longhorns released their first SEC availability report of the year was to see running back Hollywood Smothers on the list.
All we thought we had to be worried about were edge rusher Colin Simmons and tight end Nick Townsend, two star players whose statuses had previously been up in the air.
However, lo and behold, Smothers was listed as "questionable" despite no previous indication that he was dealing with an injury of any kind. Of course, head coach Steve Sarkisian had been fairly blunt when he let reporters know that the only injury updates would come through the conference-mandated reports.
QUESTIONABLE - Hollywood Smothers, running back
The uncertainty surrounding one of Texas's two star running backs undoubtedly adds a little anxiety to the team's fanbase, which was already preparing for the Horns to take on their first SEC opponent of the season with a road trip to see the No. 14 Tennessee Volunteers.
According to reports coming out of the 40 Acres, Smothers had not practiced on Wednesday while working through a lower-body injury.
This would also undeniably put additional pressure on fellow running back Raleek Brown, who joined the Longhorns through the transfer portal this offseason, just like Smothers.
So far this season, Smothers has amassed 198 rushing yards for two touchdowns, alongside 54 yards through the air for an additional TD. The best news is that Sarkisian prepared for these kinds of scenarios by bringing in more depth, like Brown and freshman Derrek Cooper, as well as retaining players like second-year running back Michael Terry III.
DOUBTFUL - Nick Townsend, tight end
Townsend was listed as doubtful in the initial availability report, which didn't come as a huge surprise after the tight end had already missed back-to-back games in Weeks 2 and 3.
While he could be upgraded to questionable or probable, or even taken off the report entirely, his absence from the depth chart wasn't the biggest point of contention, especially with fellow tight ends Emaree Winston, Spencer Shannon, and Michael Masunas stepping up to the plate over the last two weeks.
Like the rest of his players' statuses, Sarkisian had not provided any timetable for Townsend's return the last time he spoke with the media.
PROBABLE - Colin Simmons, edge
The greatest thing that Texas fans had seen on an availability report was the fact that Simmons was listed as "probable," effectively giving the green light for the star edge rusher.
While transfer portal addition Rasheem Biles has undeniably taken the spotlight from virtually any other defensive player, Simmons is the unequivocal leader of the group and has been a star for the Longhorns for three years.
His presence as Texas heads into SEC play was something that the team was most likely relying on.
3 Longhorns initially listed "OUT" for Texas vs. Tennessee
Three players were listed as "OUT" in the first availability report: second-year defensive lineman Justus Terry, third-year defensive back Xavier Filsaime, and second-year offensive lineman Jordan Coleman.
None of those names were a surprise in the report, with all missing time leading up to Week 4. However, Terry's continued absence from the depth chart was something that had been a point of focus over the last three weeks.
Filsaime's absence was also noteworthy as the defensive secondary was preparing to take on a dual-threat offense in Tennessee that often utilized the deep ball to threaten a downfield attack.
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