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Texas Longhorns sophomore running back Kirk Johnson will likely continue to miss time after suffering a recent meniscus tear that required surgery last week, according to Kirk Bohls of the Austin American-Statesman.
As a freshman, the California native rushed eight times for 44 yards. He was expected to be the change of pace back for Texas in 2016 — a speedy alternative to D’Onta Foreman and Chris Warren’s power style.
However, Johnson has already faced his share of injuries throughout his career.
The 5’11, 205-pounder suffered a number of setbacks throughout high school, particularly a severe ankle injury during his junior year. These impediments caused the talented back to fall under the radar in recruiting prior to picking up a Texas offer.
On November 7th, 2015 against Texas Tech last season, Johnson suffered a knee injury which sidelined him for the remainder of the season and spring practice.
BON’s sources indicate that Johnson re-aggravated this injury in practice prior to the Notre Dame game, leading to the surgery.
The true sophomore is eligible to redshirt if his season is indeed over. A few implications from this:
- Johnson would no longer be in the same class as fellow running back Chris Warren, and would now be in the same group as his brother, freshman receiver Collin Johnson.
- Freshman Kyle Porter will continue to get playing time in 2016 as the change of pace back.
- Freshman wide receiver Devin Duvernay or even sophomore wide receiver Jerrod Heard may get carries out of the backfield as a speed option for Texas.
Best of luck to Johnson and here’s to a speedy recovery.