Texas lists Colin Simmons doubtful, rules out Richard Wesley before Ole Miss game

Texas could be without both of its top edge rushers when No. 7 Ole Miss visits Austin on Saturday. On Wednesday's first SEC availability report, Colin Simmons is listed as doubtful and Richard Wesley has already been ruled out, according to SB Nation and Sports Illustrated.

Simmons was carted off in the second half of last week's 27-24 home loss to Florida with what has since been described as a high ankle sprain. The doubtful tag was expected. OrangeBloods had already reported that he would likely miss three to four weeks, and it named the November 14 trip to LSU as a possible return date if the ankle responds well. The Wesley news was not expected. Sports Illustrated reported he had been in line to replace Simmons opposite Lance Jackson. Without both of them, Texas is short on proven pass rushers against Trinidad Chambliss, one of the most dangerous quarterbacks in the conference.

The Texas offense has questions too. Running back Hollywood Smothers is questionable after reportedly missing Monday's practice with a shoulder injury. Wide receiver Kaliq Lockett and offensive lineman Jaydon Chatman are also questionable.

Ole Miss has the longer list, but it looks better for the Rebels. Running back Kewan Lacy is listed as probable after he left and returned against Missouri. Offensive linemen Terez Davis and Brycen Sanders and cornerback Patrick Broomfield are questionable. Defensive back Edwin Joseph is out for a second straight game after ankle surgery, according to Sports Illustrated's Ole Miss site. Safeties MJ Preston and Nascar McCoy are also out. Rebels coach Pete Golding said this week that in this league, "you better have good players behind them that are ready to go," according to the same outlet.

What it means for Saturday

The two teams arrive headed in opposite directions. Texas is 4-2 and has lost two straight, both by three points: 27-24 to Oklahoma and 27-24 to Florida. The Longhorns have scored exactly 24 points in each of those games, and none of their six games this season has been decided by more than a touchdown except the routs of Texas State and UTSA. Even the 24-23 win over then-No. 1 Ohio State came down to one point. Ole Miss is 5-1. The Rebels have outscored Vanderbilt and Missouri 83-20 in their last two games, and they also beat LSU and Louisville. Their only loss was 52-28 at Florida, the same team that just beat Texas in Austin.

The board still has Texas favored at home despite the injuries. Novig has the Longhorns at -150 on the moneyline and Ole Miss at +147. On the spread, Novig lists Texas as a 3.5-point favorite at +106 and Ole Miss +3.5 at -111. theScore Bet offers the best Rebels number among the 12 venues at +4.5 for -120, a full point wider than Novig. The total is 53.5 at Novig. FanDuel has the best under, at 54.5 for -110. Sportsbook hold ranges from 3.0% to 6.3% on the moneyline and up to 7.0% on the total.

A second availability report is due Thursday. Sports Illustrated expects Simmons to be downgraded to out, possibly as soon as that report. Smothers's status is the bigger unknown for a Texas offense that has stalled in two straight close losses. Kickoff is Saturday on ABC.