Steve Sarkisian provides positive injury update for Xavier Worthy, Ryan Watts

On3 imageby:Kaiden Smith•12/03/23•

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Texas Longhorns DOMINATE Oklahoma St in Big 12 Title | Steve Sarkisian, Quinn Ewers CFP Bound?

It’s an exciting time in Austin, Texas with the Texas Longhorns securing their first-ever appearance in the College Football Playoff on Sunday. Their dominant 49-21 Big 12 Championship win over Oklahoma State on Saturday surely helped their case for making the CFP’s top four, but in the process two of their top difference makers suffered injuries.

Wide receiver Xavier Worthy and defensive back Ryan Watts both left Saturday’s conference title game with injuries, but according to head coach Steve Sarkisian, both players should be available for the Longhorns’ semifinal playoff matchup against Washington.

According to Austin American-Statesman’s Kirk Bohls, Sarkisian revealed Sunday that he is very confident that both Worthy and Watts will be available for the Sugar Bowl despite both leaving Saturday’s game with respective ankle and back injuries.

Worthy left Saturday’s title game with an ankle injury early in the fourth quarter after landing awkwardly out of bounds following a 10-yard pass from quarterback Quinn Ewers.  X-rays were done on Worhty’s ankle at the game after coming back out onto the sidelines with crutches, X-rays which likely came back negative given Sarkisian’s confidence in his return for the Longhorns’ next matchup on New Year’s Day.

Worthy is an instrumental piece of Texas’ offense, leading the team in receptions and receiving yards this season with 73 catches for 969 yards and five touchdowns. Before sustaining his injury on Saturday he hauled in six receptions for 86 yards, and will undoubtedly continue having a major impact on the team’s offense this postseason if healthy.

Watts on the other hand did not suit up for Texas this weekend, entering Saturday’s conference championship game questionable after sustaining an injury to his back on the very first play of the game the week prior when the Longhorns took on Texas Tech.

Unfortunately, Watts is no stranger to injuries this season, suffering a lower-body injury versus Kansas in Week 5 that led to him missing two weeks of action earlier this season. But after missing time big time games this season like the Red River Rivalry matchup versus Oklahoma and the Big 12 Championship game, it appears Watts will have the opportunity to perform of the Longhorns’ biggest stage of the season in the College Football Playoff.

This season Watts has recorded 32 tackles and defended three passes as Texas’ starting cornerback, and like Worthy, will be a big difference maker if healthy for the College Football Playoff like Sarkisian expects.