Football

Key Texas Defensive Back Listed as Doubtful on Latest Injury Report

Nero Scofield

The Texas Longhorns have an intriguing away game this Saturday against an emerging Vanderbilt team, but it seems they may be without one of their top defensive players. Star safety Andrew Mukuba is currently listed as doubtful on the Longhorns’ latest injury report due to a knee injury.

Since transferring from Clemson earlier this offseason, Mukuba has established himself as one of the top safeties in the nation. This year, he has recorded 25 tackles and two interceptions, including an impressive leaping interception of Georgia’s Carson Beck last week.

Steve Sarkisian mentioned earlier this week that Mukuba is expected to return this season, but it seems unlikely that he’ll be back this Sunday. “We’ll need to keep an eye on him. With a bye week coming after this game, we’ll monitor him closely,” Sarkisian stated. “I won’t bring him back unless he’s ready, especially since I’ll have a couple more weeks afterward to ensure he’s healthy.”

Derek Williams Jr. is already out for the season due to a knee injury sustained against Oklahoma, forcing the Longhorns to rely on younger players in the defensive backfield. Michael Taafe and Jelani McDonald are likely to start at safety, with three-star freshman Jordon Johnson-Rubell rotating in. Mukuba currently holds the seventh-best coverage grade among safeties in the Power Five this season, according to Pro Football Focus, and his return will be crucial for Texas as they aim for an SEC title and a national championship. The Longhorns are hopeful Mukuba will be fully recovered after the bye week.

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