Derek Williams injury update: Steve Sarkisian shares disappointing news on Texas DB

Texas defensive back Derek Williams is out for the season, head coach Steve Sarkisian announced on Monday.

Inside Texas posted the news on Twitter Monday afternoon.

“Steve Sarkisian says Derek Williams is out for the remainder of the season and will have surgery in a couple weeks. No injury immediately given,” the post reads.

Derek Williams has appeared in four games this season. He has 11 tackles, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery and an interception.

The sophomore was banged up earlier this year and was listed as probably on the Texas injury report ahead of the Oklahoma game.

Williams was healthy enough to play in the Red River Rivalry, but unfortunately he was injured while covering a kickoff against the Sooners.

The Louisiana native is a former four-star recruit who was ranked as the No. 6 safety in the country for the class of 2023, per the On3 Industry rankings. He has been a key part of the Texas secondary all season.

Derek Williams also made several key plays as a freshman in 2023. That year he appeared in 13 games, finishing with 42 tackles, two tackles for loss and two pass breakups.

Quinn Ewers shares what Red River Rivalry means to him

Even with Texas losing Derek Williams on Saturday, the Longhorns were still able to earn a huge win over rival Oklahoma.

After the game, Texas star quarterback Quinn Ewers shared what the rivalry means to him.

“It’s good to come here and be able to play in this game in general, and just the opportunity that we are all given to come up here and play against them at a neutral site,” Ewers said after the game. “And it’s been fun the past three years and I’m super glad to be 2-1, over five hundred, in the game for sure.”

The Longhorns are 2-1 against Oklahoma with Ewers under center as their starting quarterback. Saturday’s win had to be extra special for Ewers after Texas came up just short in the Red River Rivalry a year ago.