Texas Longhorns sophomore tight end Nick Townsend is the third player ruled out for the remainder of the season, according to a Thursday report from Chip Brown of Horns247
, joining senior left tackle Trevor Goosby and senior running back Hollywood Smothers.
On Texas Football confirmed the news
.
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The 6'3, 250-pounder suffered a bone bruise in his knee on punt coverage in the comeback win over Ohio State, causing him to miss the wins over UTSA and Tennessee. Since returning, Townsend has seen his playing time diminish, going from 28 snaps against Oklahoma to 15 snaps against Florida, then playing just three snaps in each of the last two games.
On seven targets this season, Townsend recorded six receptions for 31 yards, but where Texas will miss him the most is as a run blocker, where he served as an effective move blocker in addition to playing in line.
Sophomore Emaree Winston has stepped into that H-back role, but doesn't have the same length, mass, or punch as the bigger Townsend.
It's an underachieving position overall for the Longhorns this season, and not having Townsend available limits its upside even though the Spring Dekaney product is yet to prove himself as a consistent receiving threat.
