One of the nation's top returning running backs may miss the entire 2024 season after a preseason practice injury.
Texas sophomore CJ Baxter, who started more than half of Texas' games in his freshman campaign, is reportedly expected to miss the entire 2024 season after suffering torn ligaments in his right knee during Tuesday's practice.
Orangebloods.com reporter Anwar Richardson reported that the PCL and LCL in Baxter's right knee were both torn, leaving him facing surgery and a recovery that typically requires six to nine months.
The news is devastating for Baxter, and potentially very damaging for Texas' balanced offensive attack. Baxter was a significant contributor as a freshman, and was even called the best running back faced by Alabama by now former Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban.
Baxter's loss immediately pushes his expected backfield mate Jaydon Blue into a more prominent role, while also opening up opportunities for freshman running back Jerrick Gibson or Tre Wisner, who spent the 2023 season as the team's No. 3/4 running back (depending on whether Jonathan Brooks was available).