Texas Football: 4 key injured Longhorns players heading into UW

Austin Jordan, DB

The other Texas defensive back who has dealt with an injury recently is sophomore nickel Austin Jordan. The second-year defensive back and former blue-chip recruit hasn't played any live-game snaps for the Longhorns since the regular season finale against Texas Tech.

Jordan missed the Big 12 Championship Game against Oklahoma State on Dec. 2 due to the injury issues he's been dealing with since the regular season finale against Texas Tech on Black Friday.

The good news is that Jordan was a full participant in Sugar Bowl practice this week for the Longhorns. He and Watts are both expected to be healthy and active for the Longhorns in the Sugar Bowl against Washington on New Year's Day.

Jordan has split the second-team practice reps at the star position in bowl prep this week with fellow sophomore defensive back Jaylon Guilbeau. Jordan and Guilbeau could be key for Texas at nickel with senior defensive back Jahdae Barron cross-training at the star position and safety this week.

Barron is Texas's emergency safety for the Sugar Bowl with true freshman safety Derek Williams Jr. set to miss the first half of the game. Williams is serving a suspension for the first half due to a targeting call from the second half of the Big 12 title game.

Along with taking the backup reps with Guilbeau at the star position, Jordan is also expected to contribute on special teams in the Sugar Bowl against Washington.

Jordan's primary role for Texas this season has been on special teams in kick and punt coverage. He ranks among Texas's five-highest graded players in special teams coverage this season. He has two tackles on special teams in coverage this year.