In a surprising SEC-mandated injury report released on Wednesday by the Texas Longhorns, the first of the week, three players were ruled out for Saturday’s matchup against the Kentucky Wildcats in Lexington
in addition to three more surprising additions as questionable.
Senior center Cole Hutson is already ruled out for the road tilt with the Wildcats even though he was able to complete the win over the Sooners in the Cotton Bowl last Saturday. Expect redshirt junior Connor Robertson to earn his second career start in place of Hutson after working with the first team against Sam Houston when Hutson was out due to injury.
Less impactful are the losses of redshirt freshman wide receiver Aaron Butler and freshman nickel back Jonathan Cunningham, neither of whom factor into the regular rotation.
More concerning is the status of other contributors listed as questionable — redshirt sophomore left guard Connor Stroh, sophomore defensive tackle Maraad Watson, and redshirt freshman safety Xavier Filsaime.
Stroh started the first five games at left guard before losing his position battle to freshman Nick Brooks to start the second half against Florida. A season-long starter on the interior defensive line, Watson is a more impactful contributor, while Filsaime has factored into the rotation even though he’s battled a shoulder injury that caused him to miss two non-conference games.
Redshirt sophomore running back CJ Baxter is listed as doubtful after sustaining a hamstring injury on the first play from scrimmage against UTEP and missing the last three games.
