Texas vs. Ohio State availability report: Derrek Cooper's latest injury update

Less than a week ago, true freshman running back Derrek Cooper left the first game of his collegiate career early, and head coach Steve Sarkisian later shared that it was an ankle injury, leaving Cooper sidelined for the "foreseeable future."

However, just six days later, reports coming out of the 40 Acres shared that Cooper was actually a "game-time decision," and not definitively out for the Horns' Week 2 matchup against the Ohio State Buckeyes.

"Texas running back Derrek Cooper is expected to be a game-time decision tomorrow against Ohio State," Matt Zentiz from CBS Sports wrote on X. "The talented true freshman suffered an ankle injury last week vs. Texas State."

Now, this isn't to trigger any red flags because Cooper wasn't Texas's RB1 or RB2 last week, nor was he projected to jump into either of those roles during his first season with the Longhorns.

However, his possible absence from the lineup was an undeniable hit to the Horns' depth chart, something that Sarkisian will undoubtedly have to tap into as they try to usurp the No. 1 team in the nation.

Texas's projected injury report nearly blank ahead of Week 2

Of course, last week the hypothetical injury report for the Longhorns was blank, with Texas's entire roster available to Sarkisian. Cooper was the only injury noted in the first matchup of the season, and with him even on the brink of returning, the Horns' report could seemingly have the entire team on it.

Starting left tackle Trevor Goosby is also expected to still be a full go, after suffering a non-contact knee injury during Texas's fall camp.

Goosby played in the Longhorns' Week 1 matchup against the Texas State Bobcats, but wasn't quite at 100% health last weekend and didn't play anywhere near his usual snap count.

First-year defensive back Yaheim Riley didn't dress in the first game of the season, joining the team on the sideline but in street clothes. Sarkisian has yet to say whether it was because of an injury or because he already planned to redshirt this season.

Ohio State projected injury report vs. Texas Longhorns

Last week, senior wide receiver and former LSU Tiger Kyle Parker was missing in action due to an "undisclosed injury," and based on the rumblings coming down from Columbus, he will miss his second straight game since joining the Buckeyes.

Beyond Parker's injury, Ohio State apepars to have complete access to the entirety of its depth chart.

All of this is the best news possible. No matter who wins or loses, no matter who gains more yards or has fewer turnovers, neither team will be able to turn and say, "Well, we were missing a lot of our starters and stars."

It's nearly game time, and nearly every single player on the two powerhouse teams is good to go.

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Follow