Texas running back Jaydon Blue exited Saturday's 31-12 win over Michigan with an apparent leg injury. Blue rushed for 3 yards to convert a third-and-2 for the Longhorns but came up hurt and had to hop off the field without putting any weight on his left leg. Blue was able to re-enter the game late in the second quarter, though he didn't receive any touches.

Blue was the game's leading rusher with four carries for 14 yards prior to his exit. He was the only Longhorns running back to carry the ball more than once over Texas' first two drives. The good news for the Longhorns is that thanks to Blue's third-down conversion, quarterback Quinn Ewers was able to hit tight end Gunnar Helm for a 21-yard touchdown and the 7-0 lead a couple plays later.

But Texas can hardly afford anymore long-term injury issues in its running back room. The Longhorns lost expected starter CJ Baxter for the season when he suffered a knee injury in the team's first full-pads practice of the fall camp slate.

Not long after, depth piece Christian Clark tore his Achilles tendon and had to undergo a surgical procedure that will keep him sidelined through the 2024 campaign. That left Texas with four scholarship running backs, including recent transfer addition Velton Gardner and true freshman Jerrick Gibson.

Running Back Concerns in Ann Arbor

The Longhorns were already dealing with a depleted running back room before Blue's injury. The loss of Baxter and Clark left Texas with a thin margin for error at the position. Blue's injury added another layer of concern to the Longhorns' offensive strategy.

Texas running back Jaydon Blue was injured in the first quarter against Michigan Saturday. After taking a carry with a little over five minutes to go in the period, Blue was seen hobbling off. Blue managed to get off the field under his own power, but had to hop on his left leg. The injury was unclear, but Blue couldn’t put any weight down on his right leg.

ESPN’s Jake Trotter reported Blue exited the injury tent and was trying to work his leg out on the sideline. “Texas running back Jaydon Blue, who limped off the field last series favoring his right leg, is out of the injury tent and trying to run along the sidelines,” Trotter wrote on Twitter. “Unclear if he’ll be going back in. Remember, Horns lost two RBs to season-ending injuries during the preseason.”

FOX’s Jenny Taft provided an update on Blue during the second quarter on the broadcast. “Texas has continued to play without running back Jaydon Blue right now,” Taft said. “He is currently on the sideline. They have re-taped his right ankle. He has been in and out of the medical tent, he ran up to the locker room at one point. Right now, he is trying to make sure his body is available. Texas doesn’t want to provide a yea or nay, but right now, he’s trying to stay in it. He wants to be a factor in this one.”

Blue eventually returned during Texas’ final drive of the first half. Texas eventually scored on a Gunnar Helm touchdown reception from Quinn Ewers to lead 7-0 right after Blue’s injury. He had four carries for 14 yards to that point.

Blue's Impact on the Longhorns

Blue’s injury is a significant blow to the Longhorns’ offense. He was a key part of the team's success in 2023, and his absence could have a big impact on their offensive production. The Longhorns have a history of producing strong running backs, and Blue was expected to be a key part of their success in 2024.

Last week, Blue carried the ball 11 times for 57 yards in a 52-0 win over Colorado State. After CJ Baxter was lost for the season, Blue and Jerrick Gibson were expected to pick up the slack.

Last season, Blue had 65 carries for 398 yards, three touchdowns and 6.1 yards per carry. He also reeled in 14 catches for 135 yards and a touchdown.

As a member of the Class of 2022, Blue was a four-star recruit out of Houston (Texas) Klein Cain, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He was the No. 30 overall prospect in the state, the No. 11 running back in the class and the No. 180 overall prospect in the class.

Blue was surely going to be a factor in the game against the Wolverines. Head coach Steve Sarkisian explained the keys going into a hostile environment. “I think we’ve got to have great poise and composure today,” Sarkisian told Pat McAfee on ESPN College GameDay. “You get in these environments like this, the thing that can hurt you the most is a self-inflicted wound. And so we’ve got to have great poise, great composure, especially on the offensive side of the ball at the line of scrimmage.

“We like to shift, we like to motion. We’re still going to do those things, so that’s important. We really built a program on toughness and on speed, and we need those two factors to show up today. We’ve got to play a tough brand of football today, and our speed has got to show up today.”

A Looming Challenge for Texas

With Blue’s status uncertain, the Longhorns will have to rely on the depth of their running back room. Gibson is a promising young talent, but he is still adjusting to the college game. Gardner is a veteran, but he is still learning the Longhorns’ offense. Texas will need to find a way to fill the void left by Blue, if he misses any time, in order to continue their winning ways.

The Longhorns are facing a tough challenge in their running back room. With Blue's injury, they will need to rely on their depth and find a way to overcome this setback.

The running back situation is a cause for concern for Texas, but the team has shown its resilience in the past. They will need to find a way to overcome this obstacle and continue their winning ways.