Per ESPN's Pete Thamel, junior Texas football wide receiver Isaiah Bond's status for the first-round College Football Playoff matchup against the Clemson Tigers is uncertain due to an ankle injury. Thamel specifically said in the report that Bond faces "long odds" to play Saturday in the Playoff against ACC Champion Clemson.
Speedy Texas football wideout Isaiah Bond uncertain if he'll play vs. Clemson in the Playoff
Since Bond is reportedly dealing with a high ankle sprain, this is a tough injury to come back from when it's recurring for as long as he's been coming back for the Longhorns this fall in the regular season in SEC play.
Bond has dealt with this lingering ankle injury since early-to-mid October when he suffered the injury in the Red River Rivalry game against the Oklahoma Sooners. He also reaggravated the ankle injury in the SEC Championship Game a couple of weekends ago against the Georgia Bulldogs.
The report stated that Bond "may end up a game-time decision on Saturday, but has done limited football activity this week and has been focused on rehab work".
Head coach Steve Sarkisian said in a press conference earlier this week that Bond was working hard to rehab the ankle sprain injury and play this weekend against Clemson in the first round of the Playoff.
"He's going to do everything in his power to play this week, but we're going to have to monitor that daily as it goes."Steve Sarkisian on Isaiah Bond
Bond was not seen participating in practice on Monday (Dec. 16) for the Longhorns during the media viewing session.
Sarkisian's update to Bond's status (along with junior starting left tackle Kelvin Banks Jr.) doesn't appear as rosy since the report from Thamel came out this evening.
"They're both improving which is great for us. They're both showing great progress."Sarkisian on Bond and Kelvin Banks Jr.
Bnod has been one of Texas's top receivers this season. He's caught 33 passes for 532 receiving yards and five touchdown catches. Bond has also rushed for 98 yards on four motion sweep attempts, with one rushing touchdown.