As the Texas Longhorns flew to Gainesville to take on the Florida Gators, veteran defensive back Malik Muhammad was listed as a "game-time decision" on the Horns' availability report.
However, less than an hour before kickoff, Muhammad was seen on the sidelines, wearing street clothes, as the rest of his teammates warmed up for their first conference game of the season.
In a game that could make or break Texas's season, against an opponent whom Muhammad earned two tackles and one pass deflection last year, it is extremely unfortunate that the Horns will be missing the veteran defensive back.
Malik Muhammad injury update
Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian hasn't shared why Muhammad has been missing time, choosing to list him as questionable and a game-time decision leading up to the first SEC matchup of the year.
Yet, Sarkisian has continuously updated the situation surrounding star running back CJ Baxter, who is still out with a hamstring injury that he suffered against the UTEP Miners in Week 3.
In the first five games of the year, Muhammad earned nine total tackles (seven solo) and two pass deflections. Before going down against UTEP, Baxter had earned 110 rushing yards on 24 carries, as well as 22 yards on seven receptions.
The good news for the Longhorns was that the offense finally gained transfer wide receiver Emmett Mosley IV, who joined Texas this offseason after starting his career at Stanford. Running back Quintrevion Wisner was also listed as "probable" for the SEC matchup.
Making up for Muhammad's absence from the defensive secondary, defensive backs Kobe Black and Xavier Filsaime were also listed as probable as the team readied itself for the (basically must-win) matchup against the Gators.
Friday’s SEC Student-Athlete Availability Report for Texas vs. Florida. pic.twitter.com/mjT2GtoW0y
— Inside Texas (@InsideTexas) October 4, 2025
No. 9 Texas and unranked Florida were scheduled to kick off at 2:30 p.m. CT on Saturday, Oct. 4, and the game was set to be broadcast on ESPN.