Texas Availability Update: Colin Simmons Is Downgraded to Doubtful for Mississippi State, Kamario Taylor Is Out, and Coleman and Smothers Are Off the Report
Friday's picture for Halloween night sharpened on both sides: Texas is likely without its SEC-leading pass rusher again, Mississippi State is without its starting quarterback for the season, and two Longhorn starters are cleared.
The SEC availability report moved against Texas's best defender on Thursday. Edge rusher Colin Simmons, who leads the SEC with 10.5 sacks, was downgraded from questionable to doubtful for Saturday's game against Mississippi State, the Clarion Ledger reported. Simmons suffered a high-ankle sprain against Florida and missed last Saturday's 34-27 win over Ole Miss; ClutchPoints reported the same downgrade Friday, noting his 25 tackles and 16 tackles for loss in six games.
The rest of Texas's update ran the other way. Top wide receiver Cam Coleman and running back Hollywood Smothers were upgraded from probable to being off the report entirely, the Clarion Ledger reported — cleared after both left or missed time around the Ole Miss game. Left tackle Trevor Goosby and edge Richard Wesley remain out for Texas.
Mississippi State's list is heavier at the top. Quarterback Kamario Taylor is out after season-ending foot surgery on October 28, the Clarion Ledger reported. Left guard DJ Chester was downgraded from questionable to out, safety Isaac Smith is questionable, and starting linebacker Tyler Lockhart was added to the report as questionable on October 29.
Kickoff is Saturday, October 31, at 6:30 p.m. Central at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. The availability report updates nightly until 90 minutes before kickoff, so Friday night's edition is the next checkpoint — and Simmons's status is the line Texas fans will read first.
