It appears that Texas might be without one of its top playmakers on Saturday when the 5th-seeded Longhorns host 12th-seeded Clemson in the first round of the College Football Playoff.
According to a report from ESPN’s Pete Thamel, Texas WR Isaiah Bond “faces long odds” to play against the Tigers. The report noted that Bond has done “limited football work” this week due to a high ankle sprain.
It’s an injury Bond has been dealing with through the last few games and he reinjured it in the SEC Championship Game against Georgia.
“Bond would need to significantly improve in the next two days to be healthy enough to go,” Thamel said. “Bond re-aggravated his high ankle sprain late in the game against Georgia, and there’s more optimism he’ll be able to return against Arizona State on Jan. 1 if Texas advances.”
Bond had been a pivotal part of the Texas offense through the first nine games of the season, reeling in 30 catches for 483 yards with five touchdowns.
If he is indeed unable to go, the Longhorns are likely to turn to true freshman Ryan Wingo, who has been taking snaps in the slot at practice in the place of Bond.
Wingo is a former 5-star talent that Clemson recruited heavily in the 2024 recruiting cycle. He has 24 catches for 395 yards so far this season.
Sources: Texas WR Isaiah Bond faces long odds to play against Clemson this weekend, as he recovers from a high ankle sprain. He may end up a game-time decision on Saturday, but has done limited football activity this week and has been focused on rehab work. pic.twitter.com/dr5fSaoZRg
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) December 20, 2024
Photo courtesy of Dale Zanine/Imagn Images
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