After fearing the worst, news of Trevor Goosby's injury being a bone bruise sent a sigh of relief through the Texas Longhorns football program.
While a knee injury, especially for an offensive lineman, is never ideal, a bone bruise is a significantly better scenario than a ligament tear or a more extensive injury to the bone. However, Goosby could potentially still miss time after suffering the injury less than three weeks before the season kicked off.
Read more: Trevor Goosby injury news may have Texas tapping into OL depth before the season kicks off
The Horns have yet to release their official timetable for his return, but based on similar injuries to other offensive linemen, it isn't unreasonable to think that Goosby could miss Texas's Week 1 matchup against the Texas State Bobcats.
So, if Goosby is sidelined when the season begins, who would step into his place as the Longhorns' starting left tackle, and would it affect the rest of the lineup?
Jordan Coleman may get the nod vs. Texas State
As of right now, the offensive line most likely wouldn't see a massive shift if Goosby sat out of Texas's Week 1 game. More likely than not, second-year offensive lineman Jordan Coleman could simply slide into Goosby's spot, with the other four linemen remaining in place.
So, here's a look at the most simple adjustment the Horns could make to the offensive line:
- Left tackle: Jordan Coleman (if Trevor Goosby is out)
- Left guard: Laurence Seymore
- Center: Connor Robertson
- Right guard: Brandon Baker
- Right tackle: Melvin Siani
Coleman is a true left tackle, but he lacks significant experience at the collegiate level, so if head coach Steve Sarkisian isn't feeling certain about him starting against the Bobcats, the Horns could also tap backup right tackle Andre Cojoe, who plays behind Melvin Siani, shifting Siani to LT.
- Left tackle: Melvin Siani
- Left guard: Laurence Seymore
- Center: Connor Robertson
- Right guard: Brandon Baker
- Right tackle: Andre Cojoe
Or, in one of the more complicated moves, Siani could switch to left tackle from right tackle, Brandon Baker slides back over to right tackle (where he played in 2025), and returning offensive lineman Cole Hutson finds himself in a starting role again at right guard.
- Left tackle: Melvin Siani
- Left guard: Laurence Seymore
- Center: Connor Robertson
- Right guard: Cole Hutson
- Right tackle: Brandon Baker
In other words, the Longhorns have a few options. It is far from time to hit the panic button or toss out all hopes of a National Championship run.
Ultimately, Goosby could be back in a few days; offensive linemen in the NFL have done as much after suffering a bone bruise. However, Sarkisian and offensive coordinator Kyle Flood might opt to rest him for an extra week to ensure he's at full health once he returns, especially with the Ohio State Buckeyes coming to town just one week later.
On Saturday, Sept. 5, the Longhorns and the Bobcats are scheduled to kick off at 2:30 p.m. CT on ESPN. As of right now, Texas has yet to release a timeline for Goosby's return.
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