If there’s one issue plaguing Arch Manning’s roster presently, the challenges with the rush game roll off the tongue smoothly. Against Florida, that was one glaring problem that made for a sluggish offense. With just 52 rushing yards, the Gators handed down a 29-21 defeat to Texas, and now Steve Sarkisian is fixated on improving that aspect of the game. But will he put his injured star RB back on the field?

Week 3 matchup saw Longhorns’ prized running back sustain a hamstring injury against UTEP. Since then, he hasn’t made his appearance on the field. Is he getting back on the gridiron this weekend? On Wednesday, according to the SEC Availability report, CJ Baxter was listed as probable, which means a player has a 75% chance to play. Presently, the Horns are going 5-2 against Mississippi State this weekend. And Steve Sarkisian would want to play the Star RB at the Davis Wade Stadium.

After missing the past four games, the RB returned to practice and is showing progress and getting stronger. “I don’t envision C4 (Baxter’s nickname) walking out of there (against the Bulldogs) with 20-something carries,” he said per Inside Texas’ Evan Vieth’s X post. Although he is not yet listed as 100% recovered to play, Sarkisian thinks that if Baxter could play, he would be an asset against the Bulldogs.

“But if he can play in this game and be effective and be an integral part in critical situations, I think that would be really beneficial for our team.” Presently, the RB room is averaging 4.1 yards per rush attempt. In just three appearances this season, Baxter has recorded 24 carries for 110 yards so far, and another 22 yards for 7 catches. But is injury issue is not a minor one.

During his freshman season, the 20-year-old became the first freshman RB to start the season since Ricky Williams’s in 1995. He received 138 carries for 659 yards, chipping in five touchdowns. His sophomore season was cut short after he sustained a torn LCL and PCL in his right knee during training camp. Baxter underwent surgery and returned to the 2025 season, but due to a hamstring injury, he is on the sidelines again, missing four games.

Baxter’s absence was seen in Texas’ lack of run game, with just 499 rushing yards over the past four games. That’s why the HC wants to improve, as the RB brings a major boost to the offensive backfield.

Steve Sarkisian on Texas’s running game

Arch Manning’s inconsistency, along with the O-line challenges, has been a headache for Steve Sarkisian. And the running game, with CJ Baxter’s injury, was again a concern. “We’ve got to improve that; we just cannot be a one-dimensional team.” The HC was honest and blunt in his assessment following the loss against Florida. Even RB was out for the entirety of the non-conference schedule, owing to a hamstring injury.

When Wisner and Baxter pair up, the results are impressive. In the season opener at Ohio State, the pair combined for 120 yards against one of the country’s top defenses. Without them, the struggle was real and evident. Last week’s 16-13 overtime win at Kentucky produced just 179 yards, the fewest by a Longhorn team since 2015. Arch Manning completed just 44% of his passes, compared to Wildcats quarterback Cutter Boley’s 79% completion percentage. Coming up, Texas is prepping to face the Bulldogs. And they will pose a challenge.

“We had a lot of different faces last year as opposed to this year,” he said to the press. “You know, it’s different. It’s a different group. I think, for them, they’ve evolved as a defense, too. They’re a much deeper defense than that is playing a lot of players, especially in the front.” Can Texas add another winning streak during Week 9?