Nine Longhorns listed on SEC availability report

Texas listed nine players on Wednesday’s SEC availability report before Saturday’s road game against Missouri, including four who are out and five who are questionable.

Left tackle Trevor Goosby, running back Hollywood Smothers, tight end Nick Townsend and edge rusher Richard Wesley will not play. Goosby was already known to be out for the year.

The questionable group includes edge rusher Colin Simmons, wide receivers Ryan Wingo and Cam Coleman, and cornerbacks Kade Phillips and Graceson Littleton. Simmons has not played since the final quarter of the Florida game in mid-October, while the other four played last week against Mississippi State.

The offensive concerns center on Wingo and Coleman, Texas’ top two pass catchers. Smothers is the No. 2 running back, and Townsend works in the tight end rotation. Raleek Brown, Michael Terry, Michael Masunas and Emaree Winston provide depth at running back and tight end, while Emmett Mosley and Jermaine Bishop could carry larger roles even if Wingo or Coleman plays.

Texas also faces questions in its pass defense. Colton Vasek and Brad Spence have provided help without Simmons and Wesley, while Bo Mascoe remains a regular at cornerback. Freshman Samari Matthews and junior Warren Roberson played substantial snaps when Phillips and Littleton missed portions of the Mississippi State game.

Missouri listed three players, all out: running back Malae Fonoti, tight end Gavin Hoffman and offensive lineman Josh Atkins. Fonoti has three carries this year, and Hoffman has no catches. Atkins has not played this season.

Why it matters

Texas could be without its top two pass catchers, No. 2 running back and a rotational tight end. The Longhorns also may need deeper options at edge rusher and cornerback against Missouri.

What to watch next

Texas and Missouri are scheduled to kick off Saturday at 11 a.m. CT at Faurot Field in Columbia, Missouri, on ESPN.