Texas RB CJ Baxter suffers knee injury in practice

Cam Smith

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Texas RB CJ Baxter suffers knee injury in practice image

It didn't take long for some of Texas' first padded practice action to deal a potentially major injury blow. 

As detailed briefly by reporter Anwar Richardson of Orangebloods.com, the Longhorns projected starting running back, sophomore CJ Baxter, suffered a knee injury in a contact situation during the padded segment of Tuesday's practice. According to Richardson's sources, Baxter was scheduled to undergo an MRI to determine the extended of the injury, while other insiders reported on social media that Baxter was seen on crutches on the sideline after the injury occurred. 

Losing Baxter could prove to be a sizable blow to Texas' offensive plans. While the now sophomore lost the starting running back spot during the season last year to eventual second-round NFL pick Jonathan Brooks, he gained it back following Brooks' season-ending knee injury and excelled, emerging as one of the team's top returning offensive threats.

He even earned effusive praise from former Alabama coach Nick Saban for his performance against the Crimson Tide in Texas' win in Tucaloosa last fall. 

"I’m gonna alleviate some of your concerns because I know you’ve got seven wideouts that all can play,” Saban told Texas coach Steve Sarkisian. “I know you’ve got three quarterbacks that all can play. Baxter was the best running back I saw of any team, so you’re gonna be able to run the ball."

While the concerns about the extent of Baxter's injury are understandable, it's also worth noting that the team's running back room is considered one of it's deepest, most-talented units. Just as Baxter and teammate Jaydon Blue stepped up to fill Brooks' sizable shoes in 2023, Blue and fellow returning running back Tre Wisner, along with freshman Jerrick Gibson, could be in line to receive more action should Baxter's injury keep him off the field for any extended period of time. 

Cam Smith

Cam Smith Photo

Cam Smith is a 20-year sports journalism veteran whose career includes time writing for Yahoo Sports, The Washington Post, USA TODAY and contributions at The Boston Globe Sunday Magazine, the Associated Press, Boston Herald and many others. He was born and raised in Texas, but later went to college in the Northeast and never moved back. Now based in Boston, he returns home to Austin as often as he can.