Longhorns RB CJ Baxter Set to Play vs. Baylor

AUSTIN, Texas -- The No. 3 Texas Longhorns are trending toward having a fully-healthy backfield for Saturday's Big 12 opener in Waco against the Baylor Bears.

Texas coach Steve Sarkisian spoke to the media Thursday and said that freshman running back CJ Baxter "looked great" at practice and is set to play against Baylor after missing Saturday's game against Wyoming due to injury.

"He looked great today," Sarkisian said. "I was really, really excited about watching him practice today. Best practice he's had in two weeks, so I feel good about him going Saturday."

Baxter suffered a rib injury in the season opener against Rice, but this didn't prevent him from playing against Alabama. However, he picked up a separate foot injury in that road win over the Crimson Tide.

As a result of his absence, Jonathon Brooks stepped in as the workhorse out of the backfield against Wyoming, posting 21 carries for 164 yards in the 31-10 win.

Though Baxter has been listed as a co-starter on the depth chart with Brooks, it was the young freshman that saw the field first in the first two games of the season. Through two games, Baxter has posted 16 carries for 69 yards along with four catches for 21 yards.

Despite this, Brooks leads the team in carries (47) and rushing yards (273) through three games. It's possible he's now gained a slight edge in this committee-like approach at running back, though that remains to be seen.

Texas and Baylor kickoff from McLane Stadium at 6:30 p.m. CT on Saturday.