Steve Sarkisian provides injury update on Ryan Watts, CJ Baxter

Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian provided injury updates on Ryan Watts and CJ Baxter following the Longhorns’ 57-7 win over Texas Tech Friday night.

Watts was injured on the second play of the game near the sideline. He did not return to the game. Baxter was injured in the third quarter after a two yard run and suffered a hip pointer injury per Sarkisian.

But the Texas head coach seemed encouraged that both players will recover fine.

“Ryan Watts had kind of a back injury, but we’ll know more moving forward,” Sarkisian said. “I just saw him in the locker room, he’s in good spirits and so that’s a positive.”

Baxter would be a huge loss considering Jonathon Brooks was lost for the season. The backup running back filled in greatly immediately.

“We kind of looked at the scoreboard and said, okay, we’re going to be in good hands with Jaydon Blue and with Keilan and then Savion (Red) and obviously Tre Weisner,” Sarkisian said. “So it’s probably a coach’s decision more than anything — I think he could have went back in, but we just made a coach’s decision to do that.”

Baxter had nine carries for 45 yards prior to his exit. This season, he has 116 carries for 552 yards, three touchdowns and 4.8 yards per carry.

As a member of the Class of 2023, Baxter was a five-star recruit out of Orlando (Fla.) Edgewater, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He was the No. 8 overall prospect in the state, the No. 1 running back in the class and the No. 30 overall prospect in the class.

As far as Watts is concerned, he has 32 total tackles, 25 solo tackles, one tackle for loss and three pass deflections this season. He has 94 tackles for his career, five tackles for loss, one sack and three interceptions with Texas and Ohio State.

As a member of the Class of 2020, Watts was a four-star recruit out of Little Elm (Texas) High, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He was the No. 28 overall prospect in the state, the No. 17 cornerback in the class and the No. 187 overall prospect in the class.

Texas will be back in action next weekend for the Big 12 Championship to play for the conference title and a potential spot in the College Football Playoff.