Steve Sarkisian says CJ Baxter returned to practice Monday after leaving Rice game due to injury
Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian announced at his Monday press conference that freshman running back CJ Baxter was back at practice on Monday after leaving Texas’ 37-10 win over Rice due to injury.
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Baxter, a five-star true freshman out of Orlando (Fla.) Edgewater, started versus Texas’ season opener on Saturday and rushed five times for 38 yards versus the Owls. His final carry was a 32-yard run that saw him land awkwardly on the Texas sideline. He would not return to the game.
Sarkisian said Saturday he believed Baxter landed on the football, causing the issue.
“CJ, he obviously had that nice run,” Sarkisian said. “I think what it looked like is he landed on the ball and kind of had a rib issue that we just wanted to make sure we’re getting checked out. I’m hopeful it’s not serious but we don’t know for sure yet.”
Replay tells a different story, as Baxter landed on his right side with the football in his left hand.
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Baxter earned the start in his first career game for the Longhorns, the first true freshman running back to do so since Ricky Williams started versus Hawaii in 1995. Williams was the first true freshman running back to start in his first career game since Earl Campbell in the 1970s.
The Longhorns rushed for 158 total yards versus Rice. Jaydon Blue led the team in rushing with 10 carries for 55 yards. Jonathon Brooks was just behind him, with 12 carries for 52 yards. Brooks also added 42 yards receiving, including a 37-yard touchdown reception early in the contest. Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers was the only Texas player to score a rushing touchdown with a one-yard run late in the third quarter.
Baxter was ranked as the No. 30 overall prospect, the No. 1 running back, and the No. 8 prospect in Florida according to the 2023 On3 Industry Ranking, a proprietary algorithm that compiles ratings and rankings from all four primary recruiting media services.
