Texas Longhorns Get Massive C.J. Baxter Injury Update

Here’s the latest comprehensive update on Texas Longhorns running back C.J. Baxter’s injury and recovery saga. I’ve woven in context from his history, impact on the team, expected recovery, and what lies ahead for both him and Texas.

C.J. Baxter, the sophomore running back for Texas, suffered a serious knee injury during practice in early August 2024. MRI results confirmed tears to both the lateral collateral ligament (LCL) and posterior cruciate ligament (PCL), marking the end of his season and necessitating surgical intervention . Recovery was projected at six to nine months, which meant Baxter would miss the entire 2024 campaign .

The severity of Baxter’s injury immediately reshaped the Longhorns’ backfield dynamics. Heading into SEC play, Texas suddenly found themselves down two key backs: C.J. Baxter and another injured freshman, Christian Clark, who tore his Achilles joint weeks later . That left Jaydon Blue as the only scholarship back with significant experience, supported by a depth chart including Quintrevion Wisner, Jerrick Gibson, and Tre Wisner .

Immediately after the injury, Baxter’s former teammates, coaches, and analysts recognized the void left behind. HornSports noted Baxter’s standout freshman season—659 rushing yards and five touchdowns—and stressed how his absence would test the team’s depth, though “Blue is expected to step into the starting running back role” and “Trey Wisner is anticipated to see an increased workload” . USA Today’s Longhorns Wire and A to Z Sports echoed these sentiments: Blue was tagged “the next man up,” with Texas’s young depth providing some reassurance, though each backup faced an elevated role and scrutiny .

Ranching deeper into reaction, fans and analysts expressed empathy and optimism via social media. An r/CFB thread about the injury garnered hundreds of comments, with sentiments like:

“Damn. This sucks.”
“Texas will still more than likely still have one of the best backs in the country.”

Another thread in r/LonghornNation supplemented:

“He was set to break out this year. Next Man Up, our room is deep, but I feel so bad for the guy.”

Multiple voices pointed to Jaydon Blue’s explosiveness and the depth behind him while offering support for Baxter’s recovery .

Coach Steve Sarkisian had positioned Baxter as a central piece of Texas’s rushing attack. Baxter’s freshman season saw him become the first true freshman to start the opener since Ricky Williams in 1995. He posted solid numbers—659 yards on 138 carries with five touchdowns—before a foot injury temporarily shifted him out of the starter’s role . His break from the lineup pressed other backs like Jonathon Brooks into the spotlight, but Baxter had owned the starting role again by the end of 2023 .

Baxter’s injury struck at a vulnerable time—just as Texas was entering its first season in the SEC. The team’s ground game, while potent in Big 12 play, now faced more formidable, physical defensive fronts. Recognizing this, analysts warned that losing Baxter diminished Texas’s offensive ceiling in a tougher conference .

The next man up, Jaydon Blue, had flashed game-changing potential in 2023, totaling 398 yards and three touchdowns on the ground, plus 135 receiving yards . His performance late in the season cemented his reputation; CBS, USA Today, and A to Z Sports highlighted him as explosive, versatile, and ready for a full-time feature role .

Behind him, true freshmen like Jerrick Gibson and Tre Wisner were eyed by coaches and analysts as valuable depth. Gibson, a high-profile recruit from IMG Academy, was considered capable of contributing quickly, while Wisner brought versatility and grit .

From a team’s molding standpoint, C.J. Baxter pivoted from hopeful breakout star to a veteran mentor. He stayed closely involved during the 2024 season, supporting teammates, offering insights on game-day mentality, and guiding runs. In an interview with On3, Baxter stated, “Playing a lot as a freshman … giving them what I see when we’re in games … I know what they’re thinking and what they’re seeing” . His presence off the field became as important as the contributions he could no longer make on it. Through August 2024 and beyond, Baxter prioritized steady daily progress in rehab. On3 also reported a clear recovery milestone: just 29 days post-surgery, he was cycling gently on an exercise bike—an encouraging early sign .

Given the six-to-nine-month timeline, Baxter’s optimistic projection was a return in early-to-mid 2025, just in time for a full offseason and conditioning buildup ahead of fall fall camp. His contractor goal: a stronger, complete recovery, one day at a time .

The implications for the Longhorns stretch into beyond this season. Texas’s 2025 offensive plans will include Baxter reclaiming a key role, assuming full rehab success. How the coaching staff blends recovered talent with the growth of Blue, Gibson, and Wisner will determine offensive rhythm and SEC competitiveness.

In 2025, Texas celebrated an impressive SEC transition, claiming multiple championships across sports and maintaining strong football success . An elite running back corps—with Baxter healthy—would bolster championship hopes. But the long-term outlook remains tied to Baxter’s rehab. A delayed or incomplete recovery could create sustained impact on strategic ground play against competition like Georgia and Alabama.

The broader running back roster remains crowded and competitive. Blue is NFL-bound, declaring for the draft earlier this year and leaving Texas after the 2024 playoff run . Youngsters Wisner, Gibson, and newly recruited backs will see expanded roles in 2025, shaping a transition phase for Texas’s RB room.

Summarizing the current C.J. Baxter injury update:

• Baxter suffered LCL and PCL tears in August 2024 practice. MRI confirmed it was season-ending; surgery followed .
• Recovery was estimated at six to nine months—suggesting a safe return in spring or summer 2025 .
• Veteran leadership: Baxter mentored his backup teammates during the season, offering game insights and experience .
• Rehab progress: He was already on an exercise bike within four weeks post-surgery .
• Longhorn RB room adjustments: Jaydon Blue transitioned to leading the unit, with support from Wisner, Gibson, and others .
• Team depth and projections: Analysts praised the depth while noting the loss caps Texas’s ceiling in the SEC this season .
• 2025 outlook: Baxter’s return depends on recovery; cast will shift to younger backs, and his return adds veteran skill to the offense.

Unless setbacks occur, Baxter remains on track for a return in early 2025—just in time to challenge for snaps and impact Texas’s running game in the new conference era.

This season, his rehab journey offers both hope and caution. His early progress on the bike reflects strong determination and indicates he’s healing as expected, but the full return to explosive, contact-ready form usually emerges over months of conditioning and drills. If he can avoid complications, Baxter is likely to rejoin with restored speed and power.

Fans, teammates, and Texas Nation remain invested emotionally in this recovery. Social media expressed widespread support and optimism from the start, with fans acknowledging the hurt over losing Baxter, yet hopeful for a strong comeback .

What remains to be seen is just how ready Baxter will be come spring ball and how entrenched the other backs become in his absence. Will Texas lean into a committee-heavy approach, or will Baxter push back for a diminished share of carries? And what of Blue being NFL-bound—will Texas’s running game lean younger, or does Baxter slot back into a lead role?

His return also coincides with Texas’s evolving SEC identity. The uniforms have changed conferences, but the goal remains—to dominate ground lines, set tempo, and challenge defenses physically. A fully recovered Baxter would help preserve this tradition, bringing size, vision, and fight between the tackles.

For now: Baxter is on the mend. His early recovery moves are encouraging. His absence strained the depth but Texas weathered the storm. And if things go smoothly, the Longhorns will welcome back a proven runner capable of bolstering their offense in SEC play.

I’ll continue monitoring his progress into 2025—this story is far from over, and Baxter’s comeback is one many Texas fans are ready to rally behind.