After seeing last year’s leading rushing Jonathon Brooks go to the NFL, the Texas Longhorns football team had big expectations on running back CJ Baxter. Unfortunately, a preseason injury is set to end his year before it begins.
According to Texas insider Anwar Richardson of Orangebloods.com, Baxter tore his LCL and PCL in practice on Tuesday. Per the report, he needs to undergo surgery with a recovery time of six to nine months and is expected to miss the rest of the season.
“I just learned Texas running back CJ Baxter is expected to miss the season after tearing his LCL/PCL during practice on Tuesday. Baxter’s injury will require surgery and the recovery time is between six to nine months,” Richardson wrote.
Baxter was second on the team in rushing and fourth in yards from scrimmage last season as the Longhorns won the Big 12 Championship Game and reached their first-ever College Football Playoff.
In 13 games for Texas, Baxter had 659 rushing yards and five touchdowns with another 156 receiving yards.
The loss of Baxter leaves the Longhorns without each of their top five yardage leaders from the 2023 season. Not a good sign ahead of their first year in the SEC.
Will the Longhorns be able to overcome the loss of CJ Baxter?