After nearly a week and a half since we last saw the Texas Longhorns take the field against the Tennessee Volunteers, many people were eager to hear how previously injured players had progressed over the bye.
However, what should come as no surprise is that Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian had another idea in mind: no update.
With star players like running back Hollywood Smothers, tight end Nick Townsend, and defensive lineman Justus Terry all missing time this season, Longhorn Nation has been eager to see their guys back in action. Unfortunately, we will have to wait to see what we should expect on Saturday.
"I think we're healthier than we were a week ago at this time," Sarkisian said in his game preview press conference, continuing his refusal to share injury updates beyond what he puts in the SEC-mandated availability reports.
Steve Sarkisian sticks to SEC availability report and nothing more
On Monday of Week 4, before the Horns faced the Vols, Sarkisian expressed a similar sentiment, refusing to update members of the media on any lingering injuries, stating that
"There's called an injury report in the SEC, so that's enough of the injury questions," Sarkisian said that week.
Well, this week's message is along that exact same vein, with the Horns' head coach denying to provide any additional context ahead of releasing the first availability report of the week, which comes out at 7:10 p.m. CT on Wednesday evening.
Based on the final injury list from Texas's game against Tennessee, one could easily assume that Smothers will be good to go against the Oklahoma Sooners this weekend as the Horns prepare for the annual Red River Rivalry.
The star running back was off the report just before kickoff and was seen on the sidelines in full pads, with his helmet on, but never entered the game against the Volunteers.
However, when it comes to Terry and Townsend, your guess is as good as mine.
Both were listed as "OUT" on the final availability report for Week 4, alongside defensive back Xavier Filsaime and offensive lineman Jordan Coleman. For now, one could hope (and reasonably assume, based on Sarkisian's message about getting healthier) that at least one of those players is ready for, or close to ready for, action in the rivalry game.
Smothers is nursing a reported lower-leg injury suffered in practice, Townsend is healing up from a knee injury he sustained before Week 2's kickoff, Terry is recovering from a toe injury ahead of Week 2's game, Coleman hasn't played since Week 3, and Filsaime has yet to take the field this season.
For right now, Texas fans (and Oklahoma fans) will have to wait to see what Texas's injury list looks like on Wednesday evening, because until then, Sarkisian is remaining tight-lipped about the health of his team.
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