Texas is bracing for a key defensive absence as standout linebacker Anthony Hill Jr. is expected to miss Saturday’s matchup with Arkansas due to injury.
The Texas Longhorns are preparing for a difficult setback ahead of Saturday's home matchup against the Arkansas Razorbacks, as star linebacker Anthony Hill Jr. is reportedly expected to miss the game after suffering an injury in the loss to Georgia.
According to Inside Texas, Hill is not likely to suit up, marking a major blow to a Texas defense that leans heavily on his leadership and production.
Further reporting from Horns247 indicated that Hill sustained a broken bone in his hand, though head coach Steve Sarkisian declined to confirm specifics when he met with the media on Monday.
Sarkisian acknowledged that both Hill and wide receiver Ryan Wingo were undergoing evaluation, saying only that he felt "optimistic," though the early reporting paints a more concerning picture.
The injury appeared to occur late in the fourth quarter of Texas' 35-10 loss to Georgia. Hill remained down after delivering a hard tackle with roughly 11 minutes left, with the Longhorns trailing 21-10 at the time. He did manage to return for Georgia's next offensive series, but Sarkisian provided no immediate update following the game.
Hill's absence looms especially large because he was one of the few bright spots in an otherwise difficult outing for Texas.
He finished the game with six tackles, half a tackle for loss, and a critical interception that briefly breathed life into the Longhorns' offense.
His pick of Gunner Stockton set up Texas' only touchdown of the night ... a seven-yard strike from Arch Manning to Ryan Wingo that cut the deficit to 14-10 in the third quarter.
Unfortunately for Texas, that was the last moment of momentum before Georgia pulled away with 21 unanswered points.
The loss of Hill removes one of the defense's most impactful players. This season, he has amassed 70 tackles, four sacks, three forced fumbles, two interceptions, and a pass breakup, production that is difficult to replicate.
Still, Texas does have depth at linebacker.
Ty'Anthony Smith delivered a strong performance against Georgia, leading the team with nine tackles and adding his second sack of the year. Liona Lefau remains another steady contributor.
For now, the Longhorns await clarity from Wednesday's SEC availability report, but the early outlook suggests they may be forced to face Arkansas without the heartbeat of their defense.