Texas vs. Ole Miss: Colin Simmons Out and the Matchup to Watch
Colin Simmons and Richard Wesley are listed out for Texas against Ole Miss in the SEC’s Thursday availability report. The report was posted October 22 at 7:10 p.m. CT. Hollywood Smothers is doubtful.
Texas hosts Ole Miss at DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin on Saturday, October 24, at 6:30 p.m. CT on ABC. The Texas schedule and Ole Miss schedule list the same kickoff and network. Texas enters 4-2; Ole Miss is 5-1.
Texas availability heading into October 24
The following is a snapshot of the SEC’s October 22 football report. Check that official page for subsequent reports before kickoff.
| Player | Position | October 22 status |
|---|---|---|
| Colin Simmons | Edge | Out |
| Richard Wesley | Edge | Out |
| Hollywood Smothers | Running back | Doubtful |
| Kaliq Lockett | Wide receiver | Questionable |
| Jaydon Chatman | Offensive line | Questionable |
| Derrek Cooper | Running back | Probable |
Under the SEC reporting policy, out means the player will not participate in the upcoming game. It does not establish a recovery date for later games. Doubtful means unlikely to play, while questionable remains uncertain. The final game-day report is due 90 minutes before kickoff.
Wesley’s absence narrows the options behind Simmons
Losing two edge rushers affects the rotation as well as the opening lineup. On SI’s Texas coverage identifies Colton Vasek and Smith Orogbo among the remaining JACK options, with Lance Jackson and Zina Umeozulu at defensive end. How Will Muschamp distributes those snaps is one of the game’s questions.
For viewers, the useful distinction is pressure from the defensive front versus pressure that requires an extra rusher. If Texas needs to bring a linebacker or defensive back to reach Trinidad Chambliss, it changes the numbers available in coverage. That is a tactical trade-off to watch, rather than an assumption that every passing down will require a blitz.
Ole Miss arrives after a game in which its offensive line allowed no sacks. The SEC’s October 19 awards announcement recognized guard Patrick Kutas following the Missouri win. That performance gives the rebuilt Texas rotation a demanding comparison point. It cannot guarantee the same protection against another defense.
Texas’s own protection matters just as much
Texas allowed five sacks in the 27-24 loss to Florida. Its offense converted two of 10 third downs, according to the official game center. Keeping the next offense on the field would also give the shortened defensive rotation longer breaks.
Watch the situations Texas creates before third down. If early-down runs and passes produce manageable distances, the Longhorns can retain more of the playbook. Repeated third-and-long would give Ole Miss more predictable passing situations. Smothers’ doubtful designation adds another reason to follow how Texas distributes its backfield work, without assuming who will receive a specific number of carries.
The two units’ problems are connected through possession time. Better protection can extend a drive. A longer drive can reduce the number of defensive snaps required from replacements. Neither improvement follows automatically from a personnel change; both will be visible in the game.
Follow the report through game day
This preview uses the Thursday report available on October 23. Later availability updates can change the remaining uncertain designations. Use the SEC football report for the latest status and the schools’ schedules for broadcast details.
For the broader season picture, read Texas and Oklahoma after their October 17 losses. The season tracker keeps those results separate from the completed 2026 Red River game.
