As Texas prepares to take on Kansas in a game with Big 12 title chances on the line, the Longhorns will be forced to play without senior linebacker Gary Johnson. University of Texas officials confirmed Johnson has been suspended for Friday's game for a violation of team rules.
This is the first instance of Johnson having to serve a suspension since he transferred to Texas from Dodge City Community College ahead of second-year head coach Tom Herman's first season coaching the Longhorns.
Johnson has played in 24 career games with 18 starts during his career at Texas, and holds a team high 74 tackles on the season, including 14 tackles for loss and five sacks.
The Longhorns did receive some positive news on the opposite side of the ball this week after University of Texas officials announced Wednesday that sophomore quarterback Sam Ehlinger, who has been dealing with a lingering shoulder injury, significantly increased his throwing reps during Wednesday's practice and is expected to start Friday's road game against the Jayhawks.
"Sam Ehlinger’s injured right shoulder continues to progress as Texas’ sophomore QB fully participated in practice on Wednesday," UT officials said Wednesday afternoon. "He increased his workload to 40 live throws during UT’s final workout before heading to Lawrence on Thanksgiving Day. Following practice, Tom Herman said he is expecting Ehlinger to play against the Jayhawks on Friday."