Texas vs Washington Injury Report & Latest Updates – CFP Semifinal Sugar Bowl

Texas Longhorns quarterback Maalik Murphy (6) celebrates the Longhorns’ 49-21 win over Oklahoma State in the Big 12 Championship game at AT&T stadium on Saturday, Dec. 2, 2023 in Arlington.As the #2 Washington Huskies square off with the #3 Texas Longhorns in the Sugar Bowl, neither team is showing much to be concerned about in the injury reportsTexas RB Jonathan Brooks (torn ACL) is outThe Huskies are displaying no injuries or opt outs of significance

The 12-1 Texas Longhorns are #3 in the nation are missing more key elements than the 13-0 Washington Huskies as they ready to play in the Sugar Bowl, but it’s the #2 Huskies who oddsmakers are seeing as the underdogs in this CFP semifinal matchup.

Texas is set as the 4-point favorite. But going into the game, while neither team is showing much in the way of concern when it comes to injuries and opt outs, it’s the Longhorns who certainly have it the worst in this department.

Texas RB Jonathan Brooks is out with a torn ACL. As well, Longhorns backup QB Maalik Murphy won’t be playing after entering the transfer portal and moving on to the Duke Blue Devils.

So far in the college football public betting splits, Washington is getting 66% of ATS handle and Texas is drawing 95% of moneyline handle.

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Texas Gets Healthy During Break

Brooks is the leading rusher for the Longhorns this season with 1,139 yards gained on the ground and 10 rushing TDs. He was hurt November 11 against TCU. 

Texas Longhorns Injury Report

Several other Texas players who were hurting have taken advantage of the month off between this game and the Big-12 Championship to heal their wounds. Among this group are WR Xavier Worthy, RB CJ Baxter, right tackle Christian Jones, tight end JT Sanders, and cornerback Ryan Watts . Worthy leads Texas in receptions (73) and receiving yards (969).

Texas will also be getting back DB Derek Williams for the second half of the game. He’ll sit out the first half due to a targeting suspension.

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Longhorns Depth Impacted By Transfer Portal

Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian indicated to his players opting to enter the transfer portal that they were welcome to play in the Sugar Bowl as long as they continued to embrace the team culture.

Certainly the most significant absence is that of QB2 Maalik Murphy. He departed after utilizing the transfer portal to move to the Duke Blue Devils. Murphy left because he wants to be at Duke for spring football, improving his chances of earning the starting berth with the Blue Devils.

Texas Longhorns Opt Outs

Murphy started two games this season in place of injured QB1 Quinn Ewers. Murphy beat BYU 35-6 and led Texas to a 33-30 OT victory over #23 Kansas State. This season, he threw for 477 yards with three TDs and three interceptions

Safeties Jalen Catalon and Larry Turner-Gooden, WR Casey Cain and offensive lineman Sawyer Goram-Welch are others who decided to forego their shot at winning the national championship after entering the transfer portal. Catalon has 17 tackles and six passes defended this season.

Johnson Good To Go For Washington

The Huskies got some good news leading into this game regarding RB Dillon Johnson. Dealing with a foot injury, he’s indicating that the down time since the Pac-12 title game has enabled him to regain his health.

Washington Huskies Injury Report

Johnson is leading the Huskies in rushing this season with 1,159 yards on 201 carries. That’s good for a 5.5 yards per carry average. Johnson has scored a team-high 14 TDs.

#Washington RB Dillon Johnson, who transferred to UW from #MississippiState, on facing #Texas' defensive line anchored by @TvondreSweat and @ByronMurphyII: "I played in the SEC. It's nothing new to me. I've played Bama and Georgia. I'm used to it. I'm ready for it."

— Chip Brown (@ChipBrown247) December 28, 2023

RB Tybo Rogers, third on the team with 198 yards rushing, is showing as questionable for this game.

Huskies Endure Limited Opt Outs

Backup QB Dylan Morris is the most significant name on the Washington opt out list. Playing sparingly behind Michael Penix Jr, he was 9-of-14 through the air this season for 224 yards. Morris threw for one TD and was picked off once. 

Washington Huskies Opt Outs

Player-Position	Reason
Dylan Morris-QB	transfer portal
James Smith-CB	transfer portal
Vincent Nunley-S	transfer portal

Safety Vincent Nunley, another transfer portal departure, made 10 tackles and intercepted a pass this season.

How Could Injuries And Opt Outs Affect Longhorns vs Huskies Betting Lines?

The Texas run game really hasn’t missed a beat minus Brooks. Baxter has accounted for 545 yards and four TDs. Jaydon Blue (339 yards, 2 TDs), Keilan Robinson (134, 3), and Savion Red (131, 1) have also made contributions to the Longhorns rushing attack.

Although Jonathan Brooks is injured for Texas their running game will not suffer because their OL is very good at run blocking and they’re deep at RB.

— gage holley (@gageholley__) December 22, 2023

If anything should happen to Ewers, the Texas offense would be in the hands of five-star freshman recruit Arch Manning. He’s 2-of-5 for 30 yards in very limited duty this season. And yes, he’s the grandson of Archie Manning and nephew of Peyton and Eli Manning.

 

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