CJ Baxter a 'game-time decision' per Steve Sarkisian
During his regular Thursday morning Zoom with the media, Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian said freshman running back CJ Baxter‘s availability would be a game-time decision ahead of Saturday’s matchup between the No. 4 Texas Longhorns and the Wyoming Cowboys.
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“CJ is ultimately going to be a game-time decision,” Sarkisian said. “I’m going to need to monitor him up and through pregame. I want to make sure that he’s healthy enough that he can perform, but also so there’s nothing lingering to where he’s trying to take care of himself and he can get injured another way.”
Baxter left his debut versus Rice, one where he was the first true freshman running back to start in his first game as a Longhorn since Ricky Williams in 1995, after going down awkwardly on his right side with what Sarkisian described as a rib issue midway through the contest. He finished that game with five carries for 38 yards before his departure.
He started in Texas’ week 2 win over the Alabama Crimson Tide, rushing 11 times for 31 yards and catching four passes for 21 yards. Baxter was seen hobbling off the field on Longhorn Network after the game.
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On Monday, Sarkisian described Baxter as day-to-day and limited at practice.
Baxter was ranked as the No. 30 overall prospect, the No. 1 running back, and the No. 8 player in the state of Florida in the 2023 On3 Industry Ranking, a proprietary algorithm that compiles ratings and rankings from all four primary recruiting media services. On3 ranked Baxter as the No. 28 overall prospect, the No. 1 running back, and the No. 6 player in Florida.
In addition to Baxter, Sarkisian updated the status of linebacker Morice Blackwell. Sarkisian said Blackwell has made “tremendous strides” and has practiced this week, but he also fell into the game-time decision category.
Texas plays Wyoming this Saturday at 7 p.m. at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Longhorn Network will televise the first home game under the lights in Austin.
