Texas football: Could Joshua Moore injury mean Jake Smith gets time at tailback?

With freshman sensation Jordan Whittington joining a beefed-up Keontay Ingram in the backfield Texas came into fall camp considering the running back position to be as healthy as it's been since D'Onta Foreman win the Doak Walker Award at the position back in 2016.

However, with Keaontay Ingram currently nursing a tweaked knee and key roleplayer Joshua Moore now out for a few weeks with a high ankle sprain, the Longhorns are dangerously thin at the spot for the first few games of the season.

Ingram's knee isn't expected to be serious, but it leaves the team having to make emergency plans should he miss any games.

Texas coach Tom Herman talked about possibly using freshman wide receiver Jake Smith in the backfield for a few plays in what was called an 'in case of emergency, break glass' situation and now he may be reaching for that hammer.

Now we feel like if Keonay back you know with him Jordan and Daniel you know that's that's a pretty good threesome," Herman said after last Saturday's scrimmage. "You can survive but if not, we might need to teach Jake Smith a couple plays here in there something to get you get you out of game out of a game out of the game if a bomb blew up ."

This was a backup plan should Ingram not be able to take snaps, but now with the possibility of both Ingram and Moore missing a game or two, don't be surprised to see Smith practicing with the backs this week in prepping for Louisiana Tech.

Smith was recruited to play receiver at Texas, but last year's Gatorade National High School Player of the Year has plenty of experience at running back from the high school ranks.

Texas also has converted safety Mason Ramirez at its disposal should he be needed. The former walk on earned a scholarship just this past week.

This clearly wouldn't be a permanent solution, but it could help Texas get out of a tough situation should Ingram take a little longer than expected to heal.