Texas Longhorns running back Hollywood Smothers will miss the remainder of the season after suffering a torn MCL, 247Sports confirmed. The injury further depletes a backfield that has struggled to find consistency this year.
Smothers, the No. 3 running back in the 2026 transfer class, arrived at Texas after a 939-yard, seven-touchdown season at NC State. However, he battled injuries throughout the campaign, missing games against Tennessee and Ole Miss. In his last three appearances, Smothers was part of a rotation with Raleek Brown and managed just 283 yards and two touchdowns on the season. In the Longhorns' win over Mississippi State, he carried four times for minus-6 yards before leaving the game.
With Smothers sidelined, Brown will shoulder a heavier workload in the rushing attack. The loss is the latest in a mounting injury crisis for Texas, which enters a crucial College Football Playoff stretch with games against Missouri and LSU. Star left tackle Trevor Goosby is already lost for the season, while edge rusher Colin Simmons, wide receivers Ryan Wingo and Cam Coleman, and defensive backs Kade Phillips and Graceson Littleton are listed as questionable.
Texas' ground game has averaged only 135.4 rushing yards per game, ranking 13th in the SEC. Only Oklahoma, Vanderbilt, and Arkansas have been worse. Quarterback Arch Manning and the offense will need to compensate as the Longhorns chase postseason aspirations.
