With Texas' offense sputtering after Fozzy Whittaker's season-ending injury against Missouri last Saturday, the injury status of their two injured freshmen RB -- Malcolm Brown and Joe Bergeron -- is even more crucial for their home game against Kansas State Saturday.
However, in a press conference this week, head coach Mack Brown could give fans no re-assurance on Brown's turf toe or Bergeron's hamstring: "We can't plan on [Brown and Bergeron] being ready on Saturday," Brown said. "We've got a mess we've got to figure out this week."
Jeremy Hills, the Longhorns fourth-string RB, is 15 pounds lighter than the two punishing freshmen, and he was unable to get on track against the Tigers, rushing for 35 yards on 11 carries.
Both Brown and Bergeron are listed ahead of Hills on the depth chart for the Kansas State game, but that might be a bit of gamesmanship from the Texas staff.
The news is worse for star freshmen WR Jaxon Shipley, who hasn't played since injuring his knee against Kansas three weeks ago. Shipley is listed behind junior WR DeSean Hales, the same position on the depth chart he was in last week when he didn't even make the trip to Columbia.
However, Mack Brown was more optimistic about star LB Keenan Robison, who left the Tigers game with an injured thumb, saying that he will likely play with a cast on against the Wildcats.
For the most up-to-date information on Texas football, check out Burnt Orange Nation, and for a comprehensive look at their opponent this week, head on over to Bring On The Cats.