Texas Longhorns Face Major Setback With Surprising Richard Wesley Injury News

Amid a two-game losing streak, the Texas Longhorns have some notable injuries to keep track of.

Texas Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian during the game against the Oklahoma Sooners at the Cotton Bowl. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The Texas Longhorns got dealt a major injury blow in last week's loss to the Florida Gators.

Texas edge rusher Colin Simmons had to be carted off in the fourth quarter with a lower-leg injury, putting his availability in doubt moving forward.

However, the bad news is only getting worse for the Texas defense with the Longhorns' College Football Playoff hopes on the line this Saturday at home against No. 7 Ole Miss.

Texas DE Richard Wesley Surprisingly Ruled Out vs. Ole Miss

Texas Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian reacts during the second half against the Oklahoma Sooners at the Cotton Bowl | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

In a surprising turn of events, Texas defensive end Richard Wesley has been ruled out on the initial SEC injury report vs. Ole Miss.

Simmons is listed as doubtful. Expected to miss multiple weeks with an ankle sprain, it's only a matter of time until Simmons is downgraded to "out" against Ole Miss, potentially as soon as Thursday when the second injury report is released.

With Simmons almost certainly set to be out, Wesley was expected to step in as the team's top pass rusher oppositie of Lance Jackson. The fact he won't play leaves Texas very thin from a pass-rush perspective against an elite quarterback in Ole Miss star Trinidad Chambliss.

Elsewhere, Texas running back Hollywood Smothers, offensive lineman Jaydon Chatman and wide receiver Kaliq Lockett are all questionable. Fortunately for the Longhorns, true freshman running back Derrek Cooper isn't on the injury report after not playing against Florida.

If Smothers is limited or doesn't play, Cooper will have a notable role in the backfield alongside Raleek Brown.

Full Texas Injury Report

Big loss for Texas against Ole Miss, as defensive end Richard Wesley has already been ruled out.

Colin Simmons doubtful. Hollywood Smothers questionable.

The Longhorns’ pass rush will be thin. pic.twitter.com/GlQvg0pkCO

— Zach Dimmitt (@ZachDimmitt7) October 22, 2026

Multiple Texas players had been praising Wesley earlier this week, giving fans a reason to feel excited about what he could have brought to the table against Ole Miss. There was no indication that he was dealing with any kind of injury after finishing the Florida game with two total tackles.

Texas defensive tackle Hero Kanu delivered some major praise for Wesley while speaking with the media on Monday.

"He's totally dialed," Kanu said of Wesley. "I think physically he's ahead of his time. He's still young, but physically he's so developed. I think he can go out there and make an impact as well."

Longhorns offensive tackle Trevor Goosby echoed these comments.

"He has more moves in the bag than your normal edge rusher," Goosby said.

Unfortunately, fans will have to wait to see these pass-rush moves on full display across an entire game of action.

In six games this season, Wesley has posted seven total tackles (five solo) while playing a solid depth role on the defensive line.

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