A potential starter along Texas’ offensive line won’t be available for the foreseeable future.
The football program announced late Thursday night that Elijah Rodriguez underwent successful surgery on his ankle earlier in the day. As a result, the junior right tackle will miss what the school described as “an extended period of time.”
UT opens the 2017 season three weeks from tomorrow at home against Maryland. They kick off Big 12 play Sept. 28 against Iowa State.
Rodriguez had been working with the Longhorns’ first-team offense prior to injuring his ankle during a Tuesday practice. Given Rodriguez’s unavailability, the starter on the right side of the line will very likely come down to Tristan Nickelson and Denzel Okafor.
Last season, Rodriguez started three of the 12 games in which he played. Nickerson started three games as well.