Texas Gets Injury Boost As Oklahoma Faces Red River Roster Crisis

DALLAS - The Texas Longhorns are getting healthier at the right time. Unfortunately for Oklahoma, the Sooners are facing a much different situation heading into Saturday's Red River Rivalry.

No. 1 Texas (4-0, 1-0 SEC) enters the Cotton Bowl with several important players returning, while Oklahoma (2-2, 0-1 SEC) continues dealing with significant injuries, particularly along its offensive line.

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For Steve Sarkisian's Longhorns, the biggest offensive development involves running back Hollywood Smothers and tight end Nick Townsend.

Smothers, who missed the victory over Tennessee with a lower-leg injury, no longer appears on the SEC availability report.

Townsend has also been cleared after missing two games with a knee injury suffered against Ohio State. His return gives quarterback Arch Manning another option in the passing game.

Texas Still Has Defensive Concerns

The Longhorns aren't completely healthy.

Defensive lineman Justus Terry was upgraded from "doubtful" to "questionable" Thursday after battling a toe injury suffered before the Ohio State game.

His availability could affect Texas' defensive rotation against Oklahoma quarterback John Mateer.

Meanwhile, wide receiver Kaliq Lockett, offensive lineman Jordan Coleman and defensive tackle Zion Williams have been ruled out.

However, Texas appears to be in a better position physically than its biggest rival.

Oklahoma's Offensive Line Faces Serious Questions

The Sooners' biggest concern involves protecting Mateer against a Texas defense featuring explosive pass rusher Colin Simmons.

Starting offensive tackle Michael Fasusi remains doubtful, while offensive lineman Fred Hinton has been ruled out.

Guard Eddy Pierre-Louis is questionable.

That's hardly encouraging news for an Oklahoma offense already struggling to consistently move the football.

The Sooners will also be without wide receiver Trell Harris, linebacker Taylor Heim, running back Xavier Robinson and defensive back Jacobe Johnson.

There are some positive developments.

Wide receiver Jer'Michael Carter, linebacker Cole Sullivan, defensive back Michael Boganowski and tight end Jack Van Dorselaer have been upgraded to probable.

Still, Oklahoma faces a difficult challenge against one of the nation's strongest defensive units.

For Texas, the objective is straightforward: establish offensive balance, pressure Mateer and force the Sooners to overcome their personnel limitations.

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And if Oklahoma can't protect its quarterback, Saturday could become a long afternoon for Brent Venables' team.

Kickoff is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. CT Saturday on ABC.