Last updated at 8:50 p.m. CT on Saturday, Nov. 14
While there was less than a minute left in the first half when it happened, the departure of Texas linebacker Justin "Juice" Cryer was one of the last things that the Longhorns needed as they struggled to produce against the LSU Tigers.
In a game that started well for the Horns, the Tigers built a lead that wouldn't be easy to topple as the Texas offense stalled (sound familiar?).
So, when Cryer exited as the Tigers fought to put more points on the board, it caused an uneasy feeling throughout all of Longhorn Nation.
Before he slowly made his way to the sidelines with Texas's medical staff, Cryer's ankle was rolled up on by LSU wide receiver Jackson Harris. To put it mildly, it looked far from comfortable or ideal for one of the Horns' star linebackers.
That pile cannot be a comfortable place for Texas LB Justin Cryer’s ankle… pic.twitter.com/ReAjpSRtGc
— Tyler Horka (@tbhorka) November 15, 2026
Just before the half ended, LSU missed a field goal attempt, and the Tigers' lead remained at just four points. As the two teams headed to the locker rooms, the Horns trailed 10-14, and the undeniable hope was that Cryer would be able to return when the second half kicked off just 15 minutes later.
Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian was not interviewed as they left the field, so no update was provided before the teams were in the locker room.
Before exiting the game, Cryer had the second-most tackles in the entire Longhorn defense, earning five total tackles (four solo), two tackles for loss, and one sack. Only defensive back Jelani McDonald had more takedowns than Cryer, with seven total tackles and two interceptions to his name in the first half.
The rest of Will Muschamp's squad must start showing out vs. LSU without Juice Cryer
While the Texas defensive line applied a lot of pressure to LSU quarterback Sam Leavitt in the backfield, they only had one sack that Cryer provided in the first half.
Sure, you could argue that fellow linebacker Rasheem Biles and star edge rusher Colin Simmons were being held, but that has seemingly happened every week they take the field, and they always walk away with QB takedowns.
In the first half, Biles and Simmons only combined for four solo tackles between the two, with neither earning a tackle for loss.
Simmons, Biles, Lance Jackson, Colton Vasek... the list goes on. As the Horns' offense tries to find its footing, the defense has to continue stepping up to the plate, and now it could be without one of its stars and leaders.
So, with Cryer possibly sidelined, it's time for the rest of Texas defensive coordinator Will Muschamp's unit to start answering the call.
As the Tigers' first drive of the second half unfolded, Cryer returned to action but looked significantly slower than usual.
This story will be updated as soon as news come out of Baton Rouge.
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