Texas Loses Star Offensive Piece For Season As Playoff Race Heats Up

The Texas Longhorns just suffered another significant injury setback, and this one eliminates an important offensive weapon for the remainder of the season.

Running back Hollywood Smothers will miss the rest of the 2026 campaign after suffering a torn medial collateral ligament (MCL) in his knee, according to multiple reports Thursday, including On3's Pete Nakos.

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The news comes just two days before No. 7 Texas faces No. 18 Missouri in a critical SEC matchup with College Football Playoff implications.

For head coach Steve Sarkisian, it's another frustrating development in a season increasingly defined by injuries to key contributors.

Smothers suffered the injury during Texas' 31-3 victory over Mississippi State last Saturday. He managed just four carries for minus-6 yards before leaving the game and receiving medical attention.

The setback ends a disappointing first season in Austin for one of the Longhorns' most highly regarded transfer portal additions.

Smothers arrived from NC State after rushing for 939 yards in 2025. Ranked among the nation's top transfer running backs, he was expected to provide explosiveness and experience alongside quarterback Arch Manning.

Instead, injuries repeatedly interrupted his season.

The former Wolfpack standout finishes his Texas debut with 69 carries for 283 yards and two rushing touchdowns, averaging 4.1 yards per attempt. He also caught 10 passes for 79 yards and another score.

His most memorable performance came against Ohio State, when he rushed for 74 yards and two fourth-quarter touchdowns in Texas' dramatic 24-23 victory.

Now the responsibility shifts squarely to Raleek Brown.

Brown has already emerged as the Longhorns' leading rusher with 452 yards and five touchdowns on 92 carries, averaging 4.9 yards per attempt.

His 157-yard performance against Ole Miss demonstrated that he can handle a substantial workload, but replacing Smothers' versatility will require additional contributions throughout the backfield.

Freshmen Michael Terry III and Derrek Cooper could see expanded opportunities as Sarkisian adjusts his running back rotation.

The injury couldn't have arrived at a more challenging time.

Texas enters Saturday at 6-2 overall and 3-2 in SEC play, with difficult remaining games against Missouri, LSU, Arkansas and Texas A&M.

The Longhorns debuted seventh in the College Football Playoff rankings, leaving them firmly in contention but with little margin for another disappointing performance.

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Texas has already lost offensive tackle Trevor Goosby for the season and continues dealing with additional injuries on both sides of the football.

Smothers was supposed to help Texas make a championship run. Instead, the Longhorns must now find a way to finish that run without him.