Xavier Worthy Provides Update on Ankle Injury Ahead of Sugar Bowl..

The most recent sighting of Xavier Worthy by Texas Longhorns fans featured him navigating the sidelines at AT&T Stadium during the Big 12 title game, visibly affected by an ankle issue. A month later, Worthy continues to grapple with the persistent injury. In a media session leading up to the Sugar Bowl, he acknowledged that his ankle is not fully healed, but he expressed his intention to play against No. 2 Washington. Despite being limited in practice, Worthy is diligently working to be as close to 100 percent as possible by game time.

Worthy’s impact on the No. 3 Longhorns has been instrumental in their journey to the Sugar Bowl and contention for the national championship. Known for his exceptional straight-line speed, vertical prowess, and special teams contributions, Worthy played a pivotal role in Austin. Leading the team in receptions (73) and receiving yards (969), he ranked second in touchdowns (5) behind Adonai Mitchell. Worthy also showcased his versatility with an impressive average of 17 yards per punt return, scoring a touchdown in a victory over BYU.

The Longhorns heavily rely on a dynamic passing game to set up their running plays, making Worthy’s condition crucial for their offensive strategy. Even before the Big 12 championship against Oklahoma State, Worthy had been playing through discomfort after tweaking his ankle against Iowa State. When questioned about whether the pain persists during route-running, Worthy affirmed that it does.

For Worthy, the Sugar Bowl holds added significance beyond being a playoff game. It serves as an opportunity to redeem himself from a subpar performance in the 2022 Alamo Bowl rematch against Washington. In that game, Worthy faced challenges, including dropping several passes downfield, all while dealing with a broken hand.

Reflecting on that performance, Worthy acknowledged that thoughts of it resurfaced upon learning about the upcoming matchup with Washington at the Caesars Superdome. He expressed a strong desire to “show the world the real me,” emphasizing that he has learned from that experience and moved past it.

While questions about his future in the NFL draft and his status for the next season arise, Worthy remains non-committal, redirecting the focus to the immediate goal of defeating Washington. When pressed about his plans for the following season, he opted to stay non-committal, prioritizing extending the current season with a potential trip to Houston.