<img style= will be missing two defensive starters and three players total from its lineup when it travels to Stillwater to take on Oklahoma State on Saturday.
Per the Austin American-Statesman and other outlets, the Longhorns confirmed Friday that kicker Anthony Fera, linebacker Jordan Hicks and defensive tackle Brandon Moore were missing the trip to Stillwater and won't play against the Cowboys. Hicks and Moore are first-stringers and Penn State transfer Fera was expected to take over the place-kicking job but has been hampered by a groin injury throughout the season.
Because of that setback and a hip injury sustained by Hicks in the Longhorns' Sept. 15 win over Ole Miss, neither Fera nor Hicks' failure to make the trip is a surprise. But Moore was expected to play until Friday's announcement, which says he is suffering from a virus.
Moore has collected three tackles for a loss this season, five tackles overall, and generally has been the solid contributor expected when he arrived this summer from junior college. But it's Hicks' absence, surprise or not, that will likely be most felt against the Cowboys: before exiting against the Rebels, his 23 tackles led the team.
Who would replace Hicks in the starting lineup wasn't immediately clear. Moore's spot will likely be filled by junior Ashton Dorsey, while Nick Jordan (3-for-7 on field goals this season) should continue to handle place-kicking duties.
None of that will affect Texas' status as a narrow favorite Saturday. But it won't make the Longhorns' job any easier, though.
For more injury updates, check out CBSSports.com RapidReporter Mike Singer's National Injury Roundup.
