Texas suffers major injury blow with Hollywood Smothers update

Texas Longhorns running back Hollywood Smothers. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Texas suffers major injury blow with Hollywood Smothers update

By Andrew Wright | Last updated Nov 5, 2026 3:10 PM ET

Not many would've predicted the Texas Longhorns to enter the month of November with two losses and possibly needing to win out to reach the College Football Playoff.

That's how the season has played out, though, and the Longhorns' chances of doing that took a major hit Thursday with an injury update.

Hollywood Smothers is out for the season

According to On3's Pete Nakos, Texas running back Hollywood Smothers is out for the remainder of the season due to a knee injury he suffered in the Longhorns' previous game against Mississippi State.

Smothers, formerly at NC State, was a top transfer portal target for the Longhorns ahead of the 2026 season. He eventually landed with Texas after months of being committed to Kalen DeBoer and Alabama.

Injuries have plagued his season, though, as Smothers has managed just 283 yards and two touchdowns in six games played. His impact has been minimal, and the knee injury will now end what's been a severely disappointing season.

NEW: Texas RB Hollywood Smothers will miss the remainder of the 2026 season due to injury, @PeteNakos reports. https://t.co/ZHdIBMOSMT pic.twitter.com/jbrJGbysBp
— On3 (@On3) November 5, 2026

More pressure falls on the shoulders of Raleek Brown, Arch Manning

Smothers' struggles this season have led to Raleek Brown (452 yards, five TDs) taking over as RB1 for the Longhorns. Brown has been a major revelation and has taken complete control of what has been a disastrous run game at times. Not only will Brown have more focus from defenses, but so will quarterback Arch Manning.

Manning has not been an effective rusher this season, as he has just 120 yards and two touchdowns through eight games, a bit lower than the 199 yards and six touchdowns he had on the ground through eight games last season.

The duo of Brown and Manning will have to make a major impact in Texas' ground attack if it hopes to win out and avoid missing the CFP for a second consecutive season.

Andrew Wright

Andrew "Dew" Wright graduated from Charleston Southern University with a degree in Communication Studies. He is a lifelong Chicago Cubs and Washington Commanders fan.

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