What a nightmare Steve Sarkisian provides injury updates on three Texas players

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) —During his Early Signing Day press conference on Wednesday, Texas Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian provided injury updates on junior wide receiver Xavier Worthy, senior cornerback Ryan Watts, and sophomore nickel back Austin Jordan from the team’s third practice in preparation for the College Football Playoffs.

“In terms of health, the coolest part for me was that all those guys were practicing today and they all looked really good to me.” Is it true that they are all 100 percent? “I’m not sure,” Sarkisian admitted.

“But I know they look fast, they were running around, and that’s a big plus considering we still have two weeks until the game.” So I believe everything is moving in the right direction on that front. They were going, so that’s a plus — I believe everyone will be available for the game.”

No. 3 Texas will face No. 2 Washington in the Sugar Bowl in New Orleans on January 1 for a chance to play in the national championship game. During finals, the team worked on strength and conditioning before returning to practice last Friday.

When Worthy was tackled awkwardly on the sideline in the second half, he suffered an ankle injury that forced him to leave the Longhorns’ last Big 12 championship game earlier this month. Following the victory over the Cowboys, X-rays were initially negative.

“He’s been dealing with the ankle stuff here for the past month or so, so the beauty of it is we’ve got plenty of time now to really get him healthy,” Sarkisian said at the time.

Watts suffered a hamstring injury against Kansas, forcing him to miss three games. The Ohio State transfer injured his back on the first play from scrimmage in the regular-season finale, keeping him out the following week against Oklahoma State.

Sarkisian was the least confident of the three players that Jordan would play in the College Football Playoffs after missing the Big 12 Championship game with an undisclosed injury. The nickel back co-backup is a key special teams player who has played in that phase for 222 of his 243 snaps this season.