RB Smothers out for season with torn MCL amid Texas woes

Texas running back Hollywood Smothers is out for the rest of the season due to a torn MCL, as confirmed by sources to ESPN's Pete Thamel on Thursday. Smothers, who transferred from NC State, played in six games for the Longhorns, starting five after being the season-opening starter at his position. In Texas' victory over then-No. 1 Ohio State, he rushed for 74 yards and scored two crucial touchdowns during the game's final drives, contributing to a 24-23 comeback win.

The No. 7 Texas team faces challenges as it prepares for a road game against No. 18 Missouri on Saturday, with multiple players dealing with injuries. Edge rusher Colin Simmons remains questionable after missing the last two games due to a high ankle sprain, joining starting wide receivers Ryan Wingo and Cam Coleman, as well as nickel corner Graceson Littleton, who has been a starter throughout the season.

Adding to Texas' injury problems, the team had already lost left tackle and top NFL draft prospect Trevor Goosby for the season. Goosby successfully underwent surgery for a torn left patellar tendon last week, as previously reported.

This year, Smothers tallied 283 rushing yards and two touchdowns for Texas. He had previously missed games against Tennessee due to a lower-body injury, and Ole Miss due to a shoulder injury. He returned briefly but managed only four carries for minus-six yards last weekend against Mississippi State before sustaining his latest injury.

Smothers began his collegiate career at Oklahoma, where he rushed for 939 yards and six touchdowns last season at NC State, earning first-team All-ACC honors. He was a highly sought-after player in the transfer portal, initially committing to Alabama before switching to Texas. The news of his season-ending injury was first reported by On3.