Texas players healing from ankle injuries

The rivalry game against the Oklahoma Sooners in Dallas this weekend will feature a Texas Longhorns team closer to full strength than against Kansas State, as sophomore quarterback Shane Buechele, sophomore center Zach Shackelford, and junior defensive tackle Chris Nelson will return from ankle injuries.

On Thursday, Longhorns head coach Tom Herman said that all three practiced this week after missing the game against the Wildcats in Austin.

As he did on Monday, Herman again declined to share any information about the quarterback situation other than to say that Buechele is still wearing a brace, but was moving around better in practice. After suffering the injury against Iowa State, Buechele didn’t play even though he was available because he had been limited in practice.

Shackelford and Nelson both suffered ankle injuries in practice leading up to the Kansas State game and were held out. Like Buechele, Herman said they were both full participants in practice.

In a game that often comes down to controlling the line of scrimmage, having Shackelford and Nelson back in the lineup should benefit Texas, even though both back ups played well against Kansas State.

The ‘Horns are far from healthy with three offensive starters still out, but the team’s overall health is improving.