Running back CJ Baxter suffers knee injury during practice, to undergo MRI per report

Fall camp can be a tense time for fans, particularly as news of injuries breaks. And for Texas, unfortunately, it appears that running back CJ Baxter has fallen victim to the injury bug.

According to a report from Anwar Richardson of Orangebloods.com, Baxter suffered a knee injury during Tuesday’s practice. He will reportedly undergo an MRI to determine the extent of the injury.

CJ Baxter was expected to be part of a powerful backfield punch for the Longhorns.

The sophomore is coming off an impressive debut campaign, one in which he ran for 659 yards and five touchdowns, while also catching 24 passes for 156 yards.

The Longhorns, of course, have some other talented options to turn to in the backfield in the event Baxter is out for any significant length of time.

Junior Jaydon Blue is expected to be one of the stars offensively this season after making a big jump from his freshman to his sophomore seasons. He logged 398 yards and three touchdowns rushing last season, while also catching 14 passes for 135 yards and a touchdown.

Quintrevion Wisner also returns after logging 73 yards rushing and a touchdown last season.

Texas feeding on confidence generated in 2023

While all eyes will now by on CJ Baxter and his potential recovery timeline, the Longhorns are still feeling great about the 2024 campaign as a whole.

One of the reasons? They’ve already proven they can hang with the big dogs in the sport.

Last season’s Week 2 win over the Alabama Crimson Tide was a moment that crystalized that feeling in many players across the board.

“I think that shows what we are capable of as a whole,” quarterback Quinn Ewers said. “I think the biggest thing for us is, yeah, we’re capable of playing games the way we played that one. Now we have to really do it on a much more consistent level. Because week in, week out, we’re playing a tough opponent. I definitely can agree with that.

“Going into Alabama and playing one of the hardest stadiums to play in, and, you know, against one of the greatest coaches ever is definitely not easy to go in there and accomplish what we accomplished.”

A healthy CJ Baxter would certainly increase the confidence level the Longhorns have, but expect Texas to be ready to roll in 2024 either way.