Michael Taaffe’s injury leaves a massive void in Texas Longhorns' secondary

Texas will be without one of its defensive anchors for at least the next few games. Head coach Steve Sarkisian confirmed Wednesday that senior safety Michael Taaffe underwent thumb surgery after injuring his hand during Texas’ overtime win at Kentucky. Sarkisian declined to offer a timetable, but even a short-term absence looms large, potentially having a massive effect on the team's playoff chances. Taaffe leads the team in tackles and serves as the primary communicator in the secondary, a steadying force on and off the field. His absence could ripple across the Longhorns’ playoff push.

How Taaffe's absence will affect the Longhorns' defense

Defensive coordinator Pete Kwiatkowski called Taaffe “the guy who fixes calls,” a player whose football IQ often cleans up mistakes before they become big plays. Without him, that safety valve disappears — and the Horns’ margin for error tightens considerably.

Texas coaches had prepared for this exact scenario over the summer, occasionally “muzzling” Taaffe in practice to force others to take command. Now, junior Derek Williams and redshirt freshman Xavier Filsaime must turn those reps into results against Mississippi State’s uptempo offense in Starkville.

Filsaime, who missed last week with a shoulder issue, is expected to return. Sarkisian praised the McKinney native’s “high football IQ” and versatility, but his tackling consistency remains a question. Williams, meanwhile, continues to regain confidence following last season’s knee injury.

Statistically, Taaffe’s absence is hard to replace — he’s tied as the highest-graded safety in the country, per Pro Football Focus, and one of the nation’s most reliable open-field tacklers. His loss may limit Texas’ coverage disguises and in-game adjustments, especially in a raucous road environment filled with Mississippi State’s signature cowbells.

For now, the mission is simple: survive until their defensive quarterback returns. The Longhorns’ title hopes might depend on it.