Sources tell ESPN’s Pete Thamel that Texas running back CJ Baxter suffered a knee injury in practice Tuesday that will require season-ending surgery.
FOX Sports’ Bruce Feldman confirmed Wednesday that the school revealed that an MRI showed that Baxter suffered a tear in his lateral and posterior collateral ligaments (LCL and PCL) in his right knee during practice and will undergo season-ending surgery: “Texas RB CJ Baxter is expected to miss the 2024 season after injuring his knee at practice Tuesday. He ran for 659 yards last year as a true freshman. @AnwarRichardson first reported the news.”
Baxter became the first true freshman to start a season opener for the Longhorns last year. The sophomore was Texas’ starting running back to open up the 2023 season, before Jonathon Brooks became the Longhorns’ starting RB after Baxter missed a pair of games early on due to a foot injury. Brooks rushed for 1,139 yards and 10 TDs before a knee injury against TCU ended his season. Baxter went on to start the next game against Iowa State, running for 117 yards on 20 carries for his only career 100-yard game at Texas, finishing the season with 659 yards and five touchdowns as Texas won the Big 12 and landed a Sugar Bowl berth in the College Football Playoff semifinal.
The Longhorns luckily have depth at running back, with Jaydon Blue expected to see play time. Baxter and Blue shared playtime after Brooks’ injury, with Blue running for 398 yards and three TDs last season, including 10 carries for 121 yards and a TD against Texas Tech, and four catches for 45 yards in the CFP semifinal loss to Washington, where he also returned three kickoffs for 80 yards.
Texas opens its first season as a member of the SEC on Aug. 31 at home against Colorado State.
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