Report: Texas RB Kirk Johnson underwent knee surgery last week

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:

1. 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.
2. Freshman Kyle Porter will continue to get playing time in 2016 as the change of pace back.
3. 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.