In a devastating blow to the Texas Longhorns, star running back CJ Baxter suffered a knee injury during practice on Tuesday that will require season-ending surgery, the school announced on Wednesday. An MRI scan later revealed that Baxter had injured his lateral and posterior collateral ligaments (LCL and PCL), sources confirmed.

Baxter, who was ranked as the No. 30 overall recruit in the 2023 ESPN 300, was expected to play a pivotal role for the Longhorns this season. Last year, he made history by becoming the first true freshman to start a season opener for Texas since Ricky Williams in 1995. However, his campaign was cut short after sustaining a rib injury during the Rice game.

Following Baxter's injury, Jonathon Brooks stepped in as the starting running back and proved himself with an impressive performance, rushing for 1,139 yards and 10 touchdowns. Unfortunately, Brooks' season was also marred by a knee injury in the game against TCU. Despite these setbacks, Baxter managed to secure a 117-yard rushing game against Iowa State, demonstrating his potential.

While Baxter's absence will undoubtedly be felt, the Longhorns can rely on their depth at the running back position. Both Baxter and Jaydon Blue were expected to share the workload, with both players recently being named to the prestigious Doak Walker Award watch list, which recognizes the nation's top running back.

Blue, who stands at 6 feet and weighs 220 pounds, has already appeared in 23 games for Texas, including every game last season, as the Longhorns enjoyed a successful 12-2 campaign, winning the Big 12 and earning a spot in the College Football Playoff. Blue showcased his skills by amassing 398 rushing yards and three touchdowns, including an impressive 121-yard, one-touchdown performance against Texas Tech.

Furthermore, the Longhorns can count on sophomore running back Tre Wisner, who played in all 14 games last season on special teams. Additionally, incoming freshman Jerrick Gibson has impressed head coach Steve Sarkisian early on, being ranked as the No. 2 running back nationally in the 2024 ESPN 300.

Texas will now prepare for its first season as a member of the SEC, with their opening game scheduled for August 31st at home against Colorado State. Despite the setback, the Longhorns remain determined to overcome the challenges and make their mark in the highly competitive conference.

The loss of CJ Baxter is undoubtedly a significant setback, but Texas remains confident in their ability to adapt and find success even in the face of adversity.