CJ Baxter injury update: Texas running back limps off after one play vs. UTEP

Texas entered Saturday’s game against UTSA needing to prove it could consistently produce on the ground. They were already playing behind due to running back Tre Wisner being out due to an injury. And one play into the first quarter, there might already be concern for CJ Baxter.

Steve Sarkisian called a play for Baxter to open the game. A nice gain for the third-year player but he instantly popped up with a limp in his walk. Baxter quickly signaled to the sideline and thankfully was able to walk off under his own power. A Texas trainer met him and went toward the bench.

“CJ Baxter is limping off the field after the first offensive play of the game,” Evan Vieth of On3’s Inside Texas said via X. “Christian Clark now in.”

***UPDATE*** – During the second quarter, the SEC Network broadcast said Baxter would be out for the remainder of the game. A big loss for Texas and one to watch moving forward, as the Longhorns continue to see running back depth thin.

As mentioned in the tweet, Clark immediately entered the game for Texas. However, there are a couple more options, both of whom share inexperience with Clark. Jerrick Gibson and true freshman James Simon are possibilities to play against UTEP.

Best-case scenario for Sarkisian, Texas is able to cruise through the UTEP game without any more injuries. Not a given with how the offense has looked so far in 2025, though.

More on CJ Baxter, time with Texas

Unfortunately, missing time is nothing new for Baxter since he arrived on campus. He did not play at any point in 2024 due to a significant knee injury suffered during training camp. At the time, a big loss for the Longhorns after Baxter was expected to be the lead back.

We saw what Baxter’s potential could be as a true freshman, sharing a backfield with Jonathon Brooks. In 13 games played, he ran for 659 yards and five touchdowns on 138 carries. Texas knew they had a special player on their hands out of the recruiting process and thought they cashed in.

Hopefully, this does not wind up being a long-term thing. Texas takes the field again on Sept. 20 for the team’s last nonconference game of the season vs. Sam Houston State. One week later, the lights will officially turn back on, going to Gainesville for the SEC opener against Florida.