**Texas Longhorns Begin Spring Practice with Key Players Sidelined by Injuries**
As the **Texas Longhorns** kick off spring practice on **Tuesday, March 25**, head coach **Steve Sarkisian** confirmed that several key players will be limited or sidelined as they continue recovering from injuries sustained last season. Among those affected are **running back CJ Baxter**, **safety Derek Williams**, **wide receiver DeAndre Moore**, **defensive end Colton Vasek**, and **running back Christian Clark**.
Williams suffered a season-ending knee injury against Oklahoma, while Baxter tore his ACL during fall camp last August. Moore battled a foot injury throughout the season, Vasek recently underwent shoulder surgery, and Clark ruptured his Achilles during fall camp, just one week after Baxter’s injury.
“We’ll have four or five guys who won’t participate fully in spring,” Sarkisian said. “Derek Williams, CJ Baxter, DeAndre Moore, and Colton Vasek are among them. Some others will be limited early on, but we hope they’ll progress to full participation by weeks three or four.”
Sarkisian also explained that the physical toll of playing **16 games last season**, combined with integrating **27 new players** into the roster, has led him to adopt an **NFL OTA-style format** for spring practices. This approach allows injured players to participate in walk-throughs, individual drills, or 7-on-7 sessions while avoiding full team periods until they’re ready.
“When you play 16 games, you’re going to have bumps and bruises,” Sarkisian said. “We want to incorporate as much of the roster as possible while still having meaningful team periods. Scrimmaging too early might exclude 14-15 players, which isn’t ideal for their development or our team.”
Sarkisian praised the team’s culture of rehabilitation and preparation, citing players like **Jordan Whittington** as examples of setting high standards for recovery and maintenance. He also addressed Baxter’s timeline, emphasizing caution to avoid re-injury, as seen with former Longhorns **Jonathon Brooks** and **DeMarvion Overshown** in the NFL.
“CJ is progressing well with no setbacks,” Sarkisian said. “He looks good and is in great spirits, but we’re not rushing him. We’re mindful of the risks and want to ensure he’s fully ready when the time comes.”
As the Longhorns navigate a challenging spring, the focus remains on player health and development, setting the stage for a competitive 2025 season.
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