Texas RB Hollywood Smothers is out for the season with a torn MCL

Texas running back Hollywood Smothers will miss the rest of the 2026 season with a torn MCL, a source confirmed to ESPN's Pete Thamel on Thursday. 247Sports also reported the season-ending knee injury, with Eric C. Henry confirming Smothers is out for the year.

Smothers left Saturday's win over Mississippi State after a lower-body injury and finished that game with four carries for minus-6 yards. He ends the year with 69 carries for 283 yards and two rushing touchdowns, plus 10 catches for 79 yards and a receiving score, per ESPN and CBS Sports.

What Texas loses

Smothers transferred from NC State after a 939-yard, six-touchdown season in 2025 and opened the year as Texas' starter. His biggest moment in burnt orange came in the upset of then-No. 1 Ohio State, when he scored the final two touchdowns of a 24-23 comeback. He had already missed games against Tennessee and Ole Miss with earlier injuries.

Raleek Brown now leads the Longhorns' backfield. CBS Sports lists him at 452 rushing yards and five touchdowns. Michael Terry III and freshman Derrek Cooper are also in the mix.

The bigger injury picture

Texas is 6-2 and 3-2 in the SEC heading into Saturday's road game at No. 18 Missouri. Left tackle Trevor Goosby is already done for the season. ESPN notes edge rusher Colin Simmons, receivers Ryan Wingo and Cam Coleman, and nickel Graceson Littleton are among the names listed as questionable.