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The season hasn't even kicked off yet but a flurry of programs are already declaring several key players out for the year.
The injury bug is hitting especially hard in the Lone Star state, with all manner of skill-position players down for the count.
Before you set your lineups or make your first bets of the season, check out this injury recap from our partners over at RobnSports.
- Texas QB Owens: If there was ever a program that could afford losing a third-string QB, it's Texas, who is loaded under center with both Quinn Ewers and Arch Manning under center. But if either of them get hurt, things could start getting a little thin in Austin.
- Texas RB C.J. Baxter: Baxter was slotted to do big things this season after rushing for over 600 yards as a true freshman, but a knee injury in August practice ended his year. Jaydon Blue and Quintrevion Wisner will look to get the majority of carries now. Freshman fourth-stringer Christian Clark is also out.
- Texas A&M RB Rueben Owens: The 2023 SEC All-Freshman was set to back up LeVeon Moss in a big way. Amari Daniels will now share more time with Moss, and A&M QB Connor Weigman will have one less backfield option.
- Houston RBs Tony Mathis and Steve Polk: The Cougars RB corps has succumbed to year-ending ACL and Achilles injuries already. Parker Jenkins, Stacey Sneed, and Re'Shaun Sanford are the remaining options in the backfield. Third-string QB Caleb McMickle is also out for the year.
- Iowa State WR Daniel Jackson: Jackson was slated to be the third returning senior at wideout in Ames along with stars Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel. The injury is a further setback to Jackson, whose career was nearly derailed by a 2020 car crash.
- Oklahoma WR Jayden Gibson: Gibson was sitting right behind Andrel Anthony and Nic Anderson as a potential breakout option in 2024 for QB Gavin Sawchuk, but a knee injury in fall camp will put the 375-yard, 5-TD target last year on the shelf.
- Illinois TE Cole Rusk: The Mackey Award watchlister had just transferred to Illinois from FCS program Murray State, and was projected to start following the departures of Tip Reiman and Griffin Moore.
- Virginia WR J.R. Wilson: With Malik Washington to the NFL, Wilson was set to be Tony Muskett's second option at wideout after Malachi Fields. Fields by himself now represents over 80% of returning production among UVA wide receivers.
Be sure to check out Robn's Week 1 College Football Prediction Tournament, starting August 28th over at Robnsports.com.
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