Texas RB Jaydon Blue gives an injury update as Longhorns know they must keep grinding on the ground

The best Monday news for Texas Longhorns fans came from running back Jaydon Blue. He’s fine. Merely rolled his ankle against Michigan, which is why he hopped off the field on one leg and disappeared into the medical tent.

Turns out it was no big deal. Despite looking like he was in serious pain, Blue shook it off and returned to the game as No. 2 Texas went on to win 31-12.

Once again, Blue’s temporary absence highlighted the precarious nature of the running back department. Depth, or the lack thereof, will be an issue all season after Texas lost two key contributors during training camp.

For now, Blue is amped up and ready for UTSA (1-1) this weekend at Royal-Memorial Stadium.

“I just treat every game the same,” Blue said. “I love football, so I don't really need anything to get me going. Just when they get closer to game day, I'm already going.”

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Blue and his backfield mates Jerrick Gibson and Quintrevion Wiser — who prefers his full name instead of being called “Tre” — both spoke about running backs coach Tashard Choice likes to see aggression from his charges.

Wiser drew universal praise during team film session for the way he lowered his shoulder and delivered an impressive shot to a Michigan tackler before getting knocked out of bounds. Choice’s energy during film session was “to the roof,” Wisner said.

“Choice is real big on sideline courage,” Wisner said. “So I know anytime I’m by the sideline, before I go out of bounds, I better lean into somebody and give them that hat.”

The running backs have taken it as a personal mission. They’re not going to be the position group that keeps Texas from reaching its goals. If that means coming with more energy, more swagger, more everything, so be it.

“It’s definitely been a roller coaster,” Wisner said. “But as far as it's going, I've got a great foundation behind me with the coaches and the team. Every day they come in, they tell me, hey, you know it’s your time. But at same time, whatever comes with it, you’ve got to do what you got to do to help this team get better.”

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The run game is thought to be critical going into the SEC. Texas has a dominant offensive line. Tackle Cam Williams and center Jake Majors have already won SEC co-offensive player of the week honors for the first two games. Left tackle Kelvin Banks Jr. is a future first-round draft pick. The Horns have bulldozers up front.

Texas’ rushing attack ranks ninth in the SEC after two games. Running the football alone does not predetermine one’s fate in the SEC, but you must run the ball with moderate success. The defenses are too good. Just don’t rank near the bottom.

For example, Alabama won the SEC in 2021 with the league’s 10th-best rushing attack (150 yards per game). LSU was seventh in 2019 en route to the league title (166.8).

Alabama’s passing game was second in the league in 2021; LSU had Joe Burrow in 2019 and ranked first.

Texas has quarterback Quinn Ewers in 2024. Still, he needs to be able to had the ball off, and the Horns must find success running between the tackles. Or around them at least, as evidence by Ryan Wingo’s 55-yard scamper against Michigan.

Blue, Wisner and Jerrick Gibson have to keep grinding.

The Michigan win was big. But, as Blue points out, “It was only just a stepping stone to where we’re trying to get.”