Texas football’s Steve Sarkisian provides injury update on All-American Kelvin Banks Jr.

AUSTIN – Kelvin Banks Jr.’s availability for the SEC championship game is in question.

Texas Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian said during his weekly press conference Monday morning that his All-American left tackle is in a “situation similar to Quinn [Ewers].”

“It’s going to be a process throughout the week to see where he is Saturday,” Sarkisian said. “Good start today, though.”

Ewers spent last week nursing a mild ankle sprain, but ultimately got himself to a point where he was able to start and play vs. Texas A&M. Ewers spent all of last week listed as “probable” on the SEC availability report before getting cleared hours before the game.

This week’s first availability report will be released Wednesday evening.

At the end of a 26-yard Quinn Ewers run with 6:07 left in the first quarter of last week’s win at Kyle Field, Banks Jr. stayed down behind the line of scrimmage. It appeared he had his lower leg rolled up on by Aggies defensive lineman Rylan Kennedy.

He was tended to by trainers, walked off the field under his own power and went directly to the injury tent as the drive continued. He retreated to the locker room with 2:30 left in the first quarter.

Banks Jr. did not reappear on the Texas sideline until the second half, at which time he was wearing sweats and sporting a walking boot.

Postgame Saturday night, Sarkisian indicated Banks Jr. had an ankle injury, but did not elaborate.

In Banks Jr.’s place, redshirt freshman Trevor Goosby performed well, helping the Longhorns rush for 240 yards on 50 carries, good for 4.8 yards per rush. Within that, sophomore running back Quintrevion Wisner registered career-highs of 186 yards on 33 carries.

Per Pro Football Focus, Goosby played 73 snaps at left tackle against the Aggies. Of those 73 snaps, 30 of them were pass-blocking situations. Of those 30, Goosby did not give up a sack, or a QB hit on Ewers, who played the whole game in spite of a mild ankle sprain suffered Nov. 23 against Kentucky.

“I was really proud of him,” Sarkisian said Sunday afternoon on the SEC championship game head coaches teleconference. “His first time playing real football, in obviously a very difficult environment. He really had one procedural penalty and no other penalties beyond that. I thought he showed great poise and composure. The moment didn’t seem too big for him. I thought he played a physical brand of football, and I think it’s definitely something that he can build upon for his future.”