CJ Baxter injury update: Latest on Texas running back

Texas starting running back CJ Baxter will miss Saturday’s Sam Houston State game, head coach Steve Sarkisian announced Monday. Sources have told On3 that Baxter is working through a hamstring injury.

With a bye week following Sam Houston State, sources have told On3 that Oct. 4 at Florida has been circled as a possible return date. Baxter missed the entire 2024 season due to a knee injury. He has 24 carries for 110 yards to this point in 2025. Baxter was injured on the first snap of Saturday’s win over UTEP and never returned.

“On an injury note, obviously Cedric got hurt the first play of the game,” Sarkisian said in his Monday press conference. “Hamstring injury. We don’t think it’s overly significant, but he’ll be out this week from a precautionary standpoint to hopefully get him ready for SEC play.”

The third-year running back tore his LCL and PCL in his right leg in fall camp, and he dealt with injuries as a freshman. CJ Baxter did flash his potential as a true freshman, however, sharing a backfield with Jonathon Brooks. In 13 games played, he ran for 659 yards and five touchdowns on 138 carries. A former five-star recruit, Baxter is originally from Orlando and will have family and friends at the Florida game, per sources.

When asked on Monday, Sarkisian did not offer a specific update on Baxter’s co-starter at the position, Tre Wisner, who did play in the UTEP game. With Baxter and Wisner sidelined, the Longhorns leaned on Jerrick Gibson, Christian Clark and James Simon.

Gibson posted 64 yards on 18 carries Saturday, while Clark had seven carries for 32 yards. Simon, who is a true freshman, did most of the work in the second half with 17 carries for 67 yards.

Texas is 2-1 after wins over San Jose State and UTEP. The Longhorns play Sam Houston before the bye, followed by the trip to Florida.