Texas’ first week of spring practice certainly hasn’t been a quiet one.
Shortly after the Longhorns took the field for the first time on Tuesday, first-year head coach Steve Sarkisian stated that wide receiver Jake Smith suffered a broken foot. A day later, it was reported that linebacker Juwan Mitchell will likely leave the program.
According to Chip Brown of Horns247, Texas then had to pause spring practice on Wednesday due to multiple positive COVID-19 tests within the program.
THE INSIDER @Horns247: Multiple positive COVID-19 tests within the #Texas #Longhorns' football team have resulted in a pause in #UT's spring practice, sources told Horns247.https://t.co/Z9JXdsLiy4.
— Chip Brown (@ChipBrown247) March 25, 2021
Texas is expected to conduct more testing and contact tracing, but Brown noted that the running back room and defensive line room have both been impacted.
The school released a statement shortly after stating that team practices will not take place for the foreseeable future and all Thursday meetings would be virtual.
“Out an abundance of caution, Texas Football will pause spring practice sessions as a result of student-athletes impacted by COVID-19 protocols. The Longhorn medical staff will monitor the situation and COVID-19 testing will continue as a plan for some team activities is reviewed, but all meetings on Thursday will be virtual and team practices will not take place for the next several days, beginning with tomorrow’s scheduled morning workout.”
The Longhorns could return to the practice field as early as next week if testing goes well in the coming days.