Ja'Tavion Sanders leaves game vs. Kansas after getting rolled up on

Texas is rolling on offense early, already up 10-0 at the end of the first quarter. Quinn Ewers has been slicing through the Kansas defense, something Steve Sarkisian will welcome. However, there could be an injury Sarkisian has to monitor moving forward with one of his quarterback’s favorite targets.

Ja’Tavion Sanders left Saturday’s game after getting rolled up on, apparently suffering a left leg injury. Texas was deep in the red zone when it occurred, a place where Sanders is usually a huge weapon. No official update has been given but his presence back on the field will be wanted.

“Ja’Tavion Sanders got rolled up on,” Joe Cook of On3’s Inside Texas said via Twitter. “He’s able to hobble off the field mostly under his own power but it was a rough looking play.”

Sanders did go into the medical tent, getting examined by the Texas staff. While he did emerge back onto the sideline with his helmet on, reports indicate he was limping.

ESPN’s Molly McGrath provided an update on Sanders via the sidelines at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Sanders was attempting to walk on the leg when emerging from the medical tent but was clearly in discomfort.

“Texas tight end Ja’Tavion Sanders came out of the medical tent grimacing in pain with an apparent left leg injury,” McGrath said during the second quarter. “He ran back and forth on the sideline but favored that leg and he was in visible pain. Frustrated, walking with a limp, and shaking his head.

“Now, Texas doesn’t give injury info but that leg injury is definitely bothering him.”

Before leaving the game, Sanders had one catch for 10 yards. Sarkisian enjoys deploying him in a ton of different roles, being one of the best tight ends in the country. Sanders can run down the field or even be behind the line of scrimmage. Taking him down is not a fun task for defenses.

Folks in Austin will be holding their breath a bit, hoping it’s not a long-term injury. While there is some good tight end depth in the program, Sanders takes the Texas offense to a different level. It’s never a positive to see somebody get rolled up on and usually brings out the worst fears.

Hopefully, Sanders will get back onto the field soon. Texas may wind up needing him to close out what should be a tough matchup against Kansas.