Texas Longhorns Hit With Another Injury Against Ohio State

The Texas Longhorns were already getting dominated by No. 1 Ohio State on Saturday night in Austin.

But then the injury bug hit.

Texas tight end Nick Townsend went down with an injury during a kickoff and stayed down on the turf for a few moments.

It's unclear what injury he is dealing with. He walked off to the locker rookm with trainers but didn't have any obvious limp.

Texas Dealt With Other Injuries Ahead of Ohio State Game

Texas Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian walks across the field prior to the NCAA football game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, Texas on Sept. 12, 2026. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

Add Townsend to the list of injuries the Longhorns are dealing with. Some notable players out against Ohio State included safety Xavier Filsaime and linebacker Markus Boswell.

Texas running back Derrek Cooper also entered the game with an ankle injury but didn't receive a carry in the first half despite suiting up for the contest.

Fans will have to wait for an update from Steve Sarkisian to see what Townsend's status is moving forward.

Last year, Townsend posted just two catches for seven yards but had a big moment in the last game of the regular season with a two-yard rushing touchdown in the fourth quarter against Texas A&M. This play helped close the door on an upset win over the No. 3 Aggies, who were undefeated heading into the game.

Townsend then had one catch for nine yards in the season-opening win over Texas State.

After the Texas State game, Sarkisian praised Townsend's practice intensity, saying he loves how it translates to the game.

"Justin Cryer and Nick Townsend go at like they got to go. All they got to compete with each other, and at the level they compete at, it's so high in practice that when the game comes, I just feel like there's a real sense of confidence for them, knowing, man, if he's as good as that guy I go against every day, I'm still gonna be okay. And if he's not, man, I'm really gonna be okay. And I think that's where they get that confidence from."

Texas Has Other Options at Tight End

Despite Townsend's exit, the Longhorns have a balanced tight end room that features other capable contributors.

Aside from Trevor Goosby, Spenner Shannon is listed as the tallest player on the Texas roster and offers some intruiginh upside as a pass-catcher due to his length.

The Longhorns also have Michigan State transfer Michael Masunas, who brings experience and gives Texas a little of everything at the position.

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