Multiple Texas players ruled out for Maryland game

During a media availability on Monday to preview Saturday’s season opener against the Maryland Terrapins, Texas Longhorns head coach Tom Herman revealed that four more players will miss the game, in addition to junior offensive tackle Elijah Rodriguez and senior tight end Andrew Beck.

Redshirt freshman safety Chris Brown, who was in line to receive some playing time as a back up, will miss the game as a result of a recent high ankle sprain. However, the injury is not expected to cause him to miss a significant portion of the season — otherwise, he would have had surgery already, as Rodriguez did soon after his own high ankle sprain.

When Texas plays San Jose State on September 9, Herman should have redshirt freshman cornerback Eric Cuffee available. Cuffee suffered a fractured forearm in practice, but is not expected to be part of the rotation this season.

Another redshirt freshman, defensive end Andrew Fitzgerald, will also sit out against Maryland and is expected to miss several weeks of action as he recovers from a hyperextended knee. Sophomore offensive lineman Garrett Thomas is also expected to miss several more weeks.

Junior center Terrell Cuney, who suffered a concussion in preseason camp, also injured his ankle, but is “probable” to be available on Saturday. Cuney was listed on Monday’s depth chart was the back up to starter Zach Shackelford.