Texas takes another hit at running back after Christian Clark tears Achilles tendon

Freshman running back Christian Clark suffered a torn Achilles tendon in Monday's practice and will be out for the season, Texas football announced Tuesday.

The former three-star recruit is the second running back that Texas has lost for the season, with starter CJ Baxter tearing his PCL and LCL ligaments.

During Monday's availability, Sarkisian spoke about how both Clark and fellow freshman running back Jerrick Gibson fumbled the ball during the practice. However, he also said the backs are "further down the road than maybe some would think."

The coach was plenty excited for Clark even before the season began, comparing him to one of the best backs in Longhorns history.

"Christian Clark fits who we are offensively," Sarkisian said during signing day. "I jokingly said I remember writing my report up on him; I wrote 'Bijan Robinson' with a question mark. He almost looks like him.

The Longhorns are now left with a backfield of Jaydon Blue, Quintrevion Wisner and Gibson. Colin Page and Reid Watkins are also RBs on the roster, but Page has not recorded a statistic in three years and Watkins is a preferred walk-on.

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Texas began the year with Baxter and Blue being placed on the preseason watch list for the Doak Walker Award. While Texas managed to survive last year with injuries to Baxter and Jonathon Brooks, these preseason injuries will test their depth in a different way.

Sarkisian has discussed potentially switching some players' positions in order to replenish the depth on the roster. Multiple outlets reported over the weekend that second-year linebacker Derion Gullette got some reps at running back in the scrimmage, and while Sarkisian didn't mention Gullette on Monday, he did say there was a "potential player on the defensive side of the ball or two" that could move to the backfield.

Sarkisian said Texas could also find a converted running back among a "couple of guys on the offensive side of the ball."

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Texas losses Christian Clark to miss season with torn Achilles