Texas running back Hollywood Smothers is officially out for the remainder of the 2026 season, suffering a torn medial collateral ligament (MCL) that will sideline him for the final month of the regular season and any postseason appearances. The injury marks a significant setback for the No. 7 Longhorns, who lost Smothers early in their Halloween victory over Mississippi State, where he managed just four carries for minus-6 yards before exiting the game. This is not the first hurdle for Smothers this year, as he has already missed two games due to various injuries, disrupting his rhythm and limiting his impact on the field.
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Before this latest setback, Smothers had established himself as a versatile threat in the Texas offense, recording 69 carries for 283 yards and two rushing touchdowns, along with 10 receptions for 79 yards and a receiving score. His most memorable moment came in Week 2, where he scored the game-winning rushing touchdown in a dramatic comeback victory over Ohio State. A transfer from Oklahoma and previously NC State, Smothers had originally committed to Alabama before choosing Texas, bringing veteran experience and a proven track record that included 939 rushing yards and six scores during his 2025 campaign with the Wolfpack.
With Smothers ruled out, the burden on the Texas ground game shifts heavily to Arizona State transfer Raleek Brown, who currently leads the team with 92 carries for 452 yards and five touchdowns. Quarterback Arch Manning also emerges as a critical component of the rushing attack, accounting for 70 rushing attempts, a figure that includes sacks per college statistical standards. No other player on the roster has more than 29 rushing attempts, meaning Texas must lean on Brown’s power and Manning’s dual-threat capabilities to maintain offensive momentum in the final stretch of the season.
Source: Yahoo Sports
