Texas Loses Trevor Goosby For Season In Major Blow To Arch Manning

Texas saved its Saturday night against Ole Miss. It couldn’t escape a devastating loss along the offensive line.

Star left tackle Trevor Goosby will miss the remainder of the season after suffering a knee injury in the Longhorns’ 34-27 victory, ESPN’s Pete Thamel reported Sunday.

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The Trevor Goosby injury leaves Texas without its established blindside protector at a critical point in the season. It also interrupts the year of one of college football’s most highly regarded NFL prospects.

ESPN draft analyst Field Yates projected Goosby as the No. 8 overall selection in his latest mock draft, according to Thamel’s report.

That projection underscores the caliber of player Texas must replace, although the injury’s effect on his draft outlook remains uncertain.

Goosby went down during the first quarter while pass blocking and was carted off the field. He later returned to the sideline on crutches.

Afterward, coach Steve Sarkisian expressed concern about both Goosby and receiver Cam Coleman, who also left the game injured.

“Obviously, neither of them look very good,” Sarkisian said.

For offensive line coach Kyle Flood, the immediate challenge is finding dependable protection for Arch Manning.

Andre Cojoe replaced Goosby against Ole Miss and represents an option moving forward.

But Texas must evaluate the entire protection plan rather than assume a personnel substitution can preserve everything the offense wants to do.

That could mean more assistance from tight ends and running backs, quicker passing concepts and fewer situations requiring the left tackle to handle an elite pass rusher alone.

Those adjustments come with costs. Keeping extra blockers in protection reduces the number of receiving options.

Shortening the passing game can limit downfield opportunities. Sarkisian must find the balance that protects Manning without making the offense predictable.

Saturday supplied some encouragement on the ground. Raleek Brown rushed for 157 yards as Texas improved to 5-2 overall and 2-2 in SEC play.

A productive running game could help the Longhorns avoid obvious passing situations, easing pressure on a reconfigured line.

It won’t eliminate the need to hold up when defenses know Manning must throw.

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Texas hosts Mississippi State on Oct. 31, giving the staff its first opportunity to demonstrate how it plans to operate without Goosby.

The Longhorns still have meaningful goals within reach. Pursuing them now requires an offensive adjustment that goes well beyond plugging another name into the depth chart.