Texas running back Velton Gardner out for the season
Texas reserve running back Velton Gardner is out for the rest of the 2024 season, Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian said on the SEC Coaches Teleconference on Wednesday. Gardner has been listed as OUT on every SEC Student-Athlete Availability Report, better known as an injury report, this season.
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Sarkisian said Gardner is out due to an eye injury.
Gardner transferred to Texas from SMU during the summer and provided the Longhorns with much-needed depth. Texas had lost CJ Baxter and Christian Clark for the season due to training camp injuries, and were looking to add someone to help carry the load along with Jaydon Blue, Quintrevion Wisner, and Jerrick Gibson.
Gardner, a sixth-year senior who started his career at Kansas and was even on the Jayhawks in 2021 when they upset the Longhorns, spent the last two seasons at SMU. With the Mustangs, he rushed for 505 yards and two touchdowns. He had 519 rushing yards and four touchdowns during his career at KU.
Gardner played in two games for Texas. He had three rushes for 11 yards against Colorado State and five carries for 15 yards against UTSA. Sarkisian did not say when the injury occurred.
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The Longhorns will continue through the rest of the 2024 season with Wisner, Blue, Gibson, converted wide receiver Ryan Niblett, and walk-on Colin Page as the available options at running back.
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About the SEC Student-Athlete Availability Report
All information on the SEC Student-Athlete Availability Report is via the conference
Reporting Requirements
SEC school personnel must submit availability reports three days before each football game, with daily updates leading to a final report 90 minutes prior to game time. For basketball and baseball, reports are filed the night before the game, with an update on game day.
Player Status Designations
Players are designated as “available,” “probable,” “questionable,” “doubtful,” or “out” before game day; and as “available,” “game time decision,” or “out” on game day.
Consequences for Non-Compliance
Penalties for inaccurate or late reports range from $25,000 – $100,000 for football and up to $15,000 – $25,000 for basketball and baseball.
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