BREAKING NEWS: Texas WR Ryan Wingo Sidelined with Hamstring Injury
The Texas Longhorns received a significant blow to their offensive depth chart this week, as promising freshman wide receiver Ryan Wingo has been sidelined with a hamstring injury. Sources close to the program confirmed on Monday that Wingo sustained the injury during spring practice and is expected to miss several weeks of action, though the timeline for his return remains uncertain.
Wingo, a former five-star recruit from St. Louis, Missouri, was one of the crown jewels of Texas’ 2024 recruiting class. The 6-foot-2, 210-pound receiver arrived in Austin with sky-high expectations after turning heads across the nation during his senior season at St. Louis University High School. Known for his speed, physicality, and polished route running, Wingo was anticipated to make an immediate impact in Steve Sarkisian’s high-octane offense.
The injury reportedly occurred during a non-contact portion of practice late last week. While the team has not provided an official update beyond acknowledging the setback, multiple sources indicate it is a hamstring strain rather than a tear, which provides some optimism for a relatively quick recovery.
Despite the injury, Wingo has remained engaged with the team during practice, seen supporting his teammates from the sidelines and participating in film study sessions. His attitude and commitment to the program have drawn praise from coaches and teammates alike.
“Ryan’s been outstanding,” said Texas wide receivers coach Chris Jackson. “Obviously, you never want to see a young man go down, especially one who’s been working as hard as he has. But his mindset is what sets him apart. He’s staying involved, taking mental reps, and asking all the right questions. He’ll bounce back stronger.”
Wingo had been competing for significant playing time early in his freshman season. With the departure of Xavier Worthy and Adonai Mitchell to the NFL, there were plenty of opportunities for new faces to step up in the Longhorns’ receiving corps. Wingo, alongside fellow young receivers Johntay Cook II and DeAndre Moore, had drawn early praise for his explosive playmaking ability.
In a recent scrimmage prior to the injury, Wingo dazzled with a 45-yard touchdown catch, demonstrating the type of vertical threat that made him one of the most sought-after recruits in the nation. His absence leaves a noticeable gap in Texas’ spring practice reps, particularly as Sarkisian and the coaching staff work to establish rhythm with transfer quarterback Arch Manning and returning signal-caller Maalik Murphy.
“We’re deep at receiver, but Ryan brought something special,” said offensive coordinator Kyle Flood. “He’s physical, explosive off the line, and has great hands. This is just a speed bump, not a stop sign. We’ll make sure he’s 100% before we rush him back.”
Hamstring injuries can be tricky for skill position players, particularly receivers who rely heavily on sudden bursts, acceleration, and change of direction. The team’s medical staff is expected to take a cautious approach, prioritizing Wingo’s long-term health over any rush to return during the spring.
Wingo’s injury also highlights the importance of depth and development among the rest of the wide receiver room. Players like Isaiah Neyor, who returns from injury himself, and Casey Cain will likely see increased reps as a result. Additionally, early enrollee Parker Livingstone may see an expanded role in practices.
For Wingo, the setback comes at an unfortunate time, but it’s far from a season-ending concern. Longhorn fans will be watching closely to see how quickly he can recover and return to form. His elite upside remains unchanged, and the coaching staff continues to view him as a foundational piece of the future.
Analysts have long projected Wingo as a future NFL-caliber wide receiver, and while this injury momentarily stalls his ascent, it does little to dampen the excitement surrounding his potential.
“He’s got all the tools,” said a Big 12 analyst familiar with Texas’ recruiting efforts. “What separates him is his mentality. He’s a competitor, and setbacks like this won’t faze him in the long run.”
Texas fans will get their next glimpse of the Longhorns’ revamped offense during the annual Orange-White spring game, though Wingo will be a spectator rather than a participant. All eyes will be on how the rest of the receiving corps adapts in his absence—and how quickly he can work his way back into the rotation once healthy.
For now, the focus is on rest, rehab, and recovery. And for Ryan Wingo, the journey is far from over—it’s just beginning.
BREAKING NEWS: Texas WR Ryan Wingo Sidelined with Hamstring Injury
The Texas Longhorns received a significant blow to their offensive depth chart this week, as promising freshman wide receiver Ryan Wingo has been sidelined with a hamstring injury. Sources close to the program confirmed on Monday that Wingo sustained the injury during spring practice and is expected to miss several weeks of action, though the timeline for his return remains uncertain.
Wingo, a former five-star recruit from St. Louis, Missouri, was one of the crown jewels of Texas’ 2024 recruiting class. The 6-foot-2, 210-pound receiver arrived in Austin with sky-high expectations after turning heads across the nation during his senior season at St. Louis University High School. Known for his speed, physicality, and polished route running, Wingo was anticipated to make an immediate impact in Steve Sarkisian’s high-octane offense.
The injury reportedly occurred during a non-contact portion of practice late last week. While the team has not provided an official update beyond acknowledging the setback, multiple sources indicate it is a hamstring strain rather than a tear, which provides some optimism for a relatively quick recovery.
Despite the injury, Wingo has remained engaged with the team during practice, seen supporting his teammates from the sidelines and participating in film study sessions. His attitude and commitment to the program have drawn praise from coaches and teammates alike.
“Ryan’s been outstanding,” said Texas wide receivers coach Chris Jackson. “Obviously, you never want to see a young man go down, especially one who’s been working as hard as he has. But his mindset is what sets him apart. He’s staying involved, taking mental reps, and asking all the right questions. He’ll bounce back stronger.”
Wingo had been competing for significant playing time early in his freshman season. With the departure of Xavier Worthy and Adonai Mitchell to the NFL, there were plenty of opportunities for new faces to step up in the Longhorns’ receiving corps. Wingo, alongside fellow young receivers Johntay Cook II and DeAndre Moore, had drawn early praise for his explosive playmaking ability.
In a recent scrimmage prior to the injury, Wingo dazzled with a 45-yard touchdown catch, demonstrating the type of vertical threat that made him one of the most sought-after recruits in the nation. His absence leaves a noticeable gap in Texas’ spring practice reps, particularly as Sarkisian and the coaching staff work to establish rhythm with transfer quarterback Arch Manning and returning signal-caller Maalik Murphy.
“We’re deep at receiver, but Ryan brought something special,” said offensive coordinator Kyle Flood. “He’s physical, explosive off the line, and has great hands. This is just a speed bump, not a stop sign. We’ll make sure he’s 100% before we rush him back.”
Hamstring injuries can be tricky for skill position players, particularly receivers who rely heavily on sudden bursts, acceleration, and change of direction. The team’s medical staff is expected to take a cautious approach, prioritizing Wingo’s long-term health over any rush to return during the spring.
Wingo’s injury also highlights the importance of depth and development among the rest of the wide receiver room. Players like Isaiah Neyor, who returns from injury himself, and Casey Cain will likely see increased reps as a result. Additionally, early enrollee Parker Livingstone may see an expanded role in practices.
For Wingo, the setback comes at an unfortunate time, but it’s far from a season-ending concern. Longhorn fans will be watching closely to see how quickly he can recover and return to form. His elite upside remains unchanged, and the coaching staff continues to view him as a foundational piece of the future.
Analysts have long projected Wingo as a future NFL-caliber wide receiver, and while this injury momentarily stalls his ascent, it does little to dampen the excitement surrounding his potential.
“He’s got all the tools,” said a Big 12 analyst familiar with Texas’ recruiting efforts. “What separates him is his mentality. He’s a competitor, and setbacks like this won’t faze him in the long run.”
Texas fans will get their next glimpse of the Longhorns’ revamped offense during the annual Orange-White spring game, though Wingo will be a spectator rather than a participant. All eyes will be on how the rest of the receiving corps adapts in his absence—and how quickly he can work his way back into the rotation once healthy.
For now, the focus is on rest, rehab, and recovery. And for Ryan Wingo, the journey is far from over—it’s just beginning.
