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Six games in six weeks against five top-25 opponents was quite a gauntlet for the Texas Longhorns, and the team heads into its bye week before playing the Kansas State Wildcats trying to get healthy.
Junior offensive tackle Kent Perkins (knee) and senior wide receiver Daje Johnson (head) both missed the game against the Oklahoma Sooners, while junior defensive tackle Hassan Ridgeway (shoulder) and sophomore defensive tackle Poona Ford (shoulder) both left the game at different points. Ridgeway returned briefly after an Oklahoma offensive linemen fell hard on him on an attempted goal-line tackle before leaving the game for good in the fourth quarter, but Ford was able to play late and combined with sophomore Fox end Naashon Hughes to on a big fourth-quarter sack to help secure the victory.
Head coach Charlie Strong said Monday that he hopes Perkins, Ridgeway, and Ford will all be available against Kansas State. After a helmet hit Perkins' knee against Oklahoma State, he's been day-to-day since while missing the last two games. According Strong, he's continued to make progress. As for Ridgway, Strong called his injury a "sprain."
Johnson's availability will likely be determined by whether he's still showing symptoms of the likely concussion that he suffered against TCU on the second offensive play for Texas.
Numerous other players also have bumps and bruises, including several offensive linemen and senior defensive end Shiro Davis, who sat out against TCU because of a knee injury. Davis returned against Oklahoma, but split time with junior defensive end Bryce Cottrell. Freshman running back Chris Warren (ankle) hasn't played since the Cal game because of an ankle injury, while freshman linebacker Breckyn Hager is still working his way back from a high ankle sprain he suffered against the Horned Frogs.
With some momentum generated by the big upset of Oklahoma, Texas get a bye week after a perfect time -- there's a big opportunity now to get healthy and continue improving in all three phrases.