Texas wide receiver Cam Coleman (8) runs the ball in for a touchdown during the game against UTSA at Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Sep. 19, 2026 in Austin. (Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman)
Texas football edge rusher Colin Simmons left Saturday’s 30-6 win over UTSA at halftime with an apparent injury to his right foot or ankle and watched the second half in street clothes and in a walking boot.
But head coach Steve Sarkisian is optimistic his All-American will be ready for next week’s SEC opener at No. 15 Tennessee.
“I don’t think Colin is serious,” Sarkisian said. “It was more precautionary to get him out. I think Colin will be fine.”
Simmons collected his second sack of the season when he dragged down UTSA quarterback Owen McCown in the first quarter, but didn’t record another tackle. For the season, the junior from Duncanville has four tackles, including 3½ for a loss.
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It’s unclear when the injury occurred, but Cody Carpentier, who covers the Longhorns for the Orangebloods website, reported seeing Simmons limping after a play with 1 minute, 55 seconds left in the second quarter. Simmons finished that drive for his last action of the day.
Texas Longhorns edge rusher Colin Simmons (1) rushes the passer during the game against San José State at Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025. (Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman)
Freshman Richard Wesley, a five-star recruit from California, got additional snaps in place of Simmons and ended the game with three solo stops, including one for a loss. If Simmons misses the game against Tennessee, Wesley could get his first career start.
“He’s a natural pass rusher, right?” Sarkisian said. “Everybody has strengths, and then they have stuff they want to work on. But I thought tonight, his ability to play the run was a positive. But he definitely has pass rush ability.”
Tennessee, also playing its final nonconference game of the season Saturday, dismantled Kennesaw State 42-9. Texas travels to face the 3-0 Volunteers for an 11 a.m. kickoff at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville.
Texas Longhorns defensive end Colin Simmons (1) heads to locker room in a boot after the game against the UTSA Roadrunners at Royal-Memorial Stadium in Austin, Sept. 19, 2026. Texas beat UTSA 30-6. (Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman)
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This article originally published at ‘Colin will be fine’: Texas football coach Steve Sarkisian downplays Colin Simmons injury.
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