Texas running back CJ Baxter expected to miss 2024 season with LCL/PCL tear

Texas running back CJ Baxter is reportedly out for the season after suffering a knee injury in Tuesday’s practice.

Orangebloods.com’s Anwar Richardson reported on the severity of the injury on Wednesday, noting that Baxter had suffered a torn LCL/PCL during practice. The injury will require surgery and the recovery time is between six to nine months, ending his 2024 campaign before it began.

Texas confirmed the news on Wednesday.

“Texas sophomore running back CJ Baxter sustained a knee injury in practice on Tuesday, will undergo surgery and be out for the season,” a statement from the program read.

It’s a brutal blow for a Texas backfield that figured to be a strength entering the season. But not all is lost for the Longhorns, who have some other capable options.

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.

Still, it’s hard to deny the kind of impact Baxter could have made if healthy.

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. He was expected to help replace the loss of former star Jonathon Brooks.

Texas feeding on confidence gained in 2023

While the CJ Baxter injury is a devastating blow for the Texas program, the outlook overall remains bright after the team’s first College Football Playoff appearance in 2023.

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.”