Texas running back Hollywood Smothers will miss the remainder of the season with a torn MCL, reports confirm. The No. 3 running back in the 2026 transfer class, Smothers arrived at Austin after a 939-yard, seven-touchdown season at NC State, but injuries have limited him to 283 yards and two touchdowns in six games this year. He did not play in the Longhorns' road win over Tennessee due to a lower-body injury and also missed the home victory over Ole Miss on Oct. 24. In his last appearance against Mississippi State, Smothers carried four times for minus-6 yards before leaving the field.
Injuries piling up for Texas
The loss of Smothers adds to a growing availability report ahead of Saturday's game against Missouri. Star left tackle Trevor Goosby has already been ruled out for the season. Several other key players are listed as questionable: edge rusher Colin Simmons, wide receiver Ryan Wingo, wide receivers Cam Coleman and Kade Phillips, and defensive backs Graceson Littleton. Simmons is recovering from a high-ankle sprain and may need another week, while Wingo is battling a quad injury. Texas enters the matchup with two losses and faces a critical stretch with road games at Missouri and LSU in the next two weeks.
Run game stuck in neutral
Since Jonathon Brooks departed for the NFL after the 2023 season, Texas has struggled to replicate its previous ground production. Tre Wisner led the backfield in 2024 with 1,000 yards but averaged just 4.7 yards per carry, and his numbers dipped to 597 yards at 4.6 yards per carry last season amid injury. The offseason additions of Smothers and Raleek Brown were expected to revitalize the rushing attack, but the Longhorns are averaging only 135.4 rushing yards per game, ranking 13th in the SEC. Only Oklahoma, Vanderbilt and Arkansas have been less productive on the ground. With Smothers sidelined, Brown and quarterback Arch Manning will need to shoulder a heavier load as Texas attempts to keep its College Football Playoff hopes alive.
