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AUSTIN, Texas — Texas football running back Hollywood Smothers suited up in an "emergency" role for the Longhorns against Tennessee on Saturday, coach Steve Sarkisian said.  Sarkisian achieved his goal of keeping the recovering Smothers out of the game, feeling like he could do so after watching Raleek Brown and Derrek Cooper in practice.  "If I could have gotten out of that game with him not re-injuring himself, I think it would behoove us for the remainder of the season," Sarkisian said on Monday. "I think he'll be fine in a couple of weeks when we play OU."  (Photo: Getty) Smothers was removed from the Longhorns' injury report in the buildup to Texas' game against Tennessee but did not play a single snap. Without him, Texas averaged less than two yards per rush, though that number was heavily impacted by the six sacks the Vols registered against Arch Manning.2 Brown, who carried most of the load in Smothers' absence, rushed 17 times for 67 yards and two touchdowns.  Smothers has been comfortably the most efficient running back for the Longhorns in the early goings of this season, averaging 4.8 yards per carry to 4.1 for Brown and 2.9 for freshman Derrek Cooper. Smothers also gives the Longhorns something extra in the passing game, where he's brought down seven receptions for 54 yards and a touchdown.  Sarkisian was also asked about the status of star wideout Cam Coleman and clarified that he'd bruised his tailbone.  Coleman appeared to injure himself while making his only catch of the game against Tennessee, a spectacular 30-yard grab down the left sideline. After going to the ground to complete the catch, Coleman popped up and appeared to grab his backside.  The Auburn transfer returned to the game thereafter, but was not targeted again.  Through four games, Coleman has caught 12 passes for 208 yards and four touchdowns. He trails Ryan Wingo by 31 yards for the right to be the Longhorns' most prolific receiver.  With Texas slated to play Oklahoma when it returns from the bye, it's worth pointing out that Coleman has historically performed well against the Sooners. Two of his top six showings from a yardage perspective have come against OU. In 2025, he caught three passes for 88 yards and a touchdown. The prior season, he brought in three passes for 82 yards.  Texas has a handful of other injury concerns to monitor throughout the bye week.  Defensive back Xavier Filsaime has not yet suited up for the Longhorns this season.  Defensive lineman Justus Terry injured his foot while warming up for the Ohio State game and has not played since then.  Reserve offensive lineman Jordan Coleman, similarly, has been unavailable in recent weeks.  The Longhorns will hope to get some, if not all, of those players back in the fold as they rest up ahead of the Red River Rivalry contest against Oklahoma in two weeks. Texas has won its last two meetings with the Sooners, moving Sarkisian's record to 3-2 at the Cotton Bowl.