Texas safety Michael Taaffe has been one of the most important parts of the Longhorns’ defense this season. In seven games, he registered 51 total tackles, including 28 solo efforts, one sack, and one interception. However, Taaffe suffered a thumb injury in the Longhorns’ 16-13 overtime win over Kentucky on Oct. 18. This injury forced him to miss the team’s 45-38 overtime win over Mississippi State last week.
Heading into the Longhorns’ game against No. 9-ranked Vanderbilt this week, they were uncertain if they would get their star safety back. Head coach Steve Sarkisian spoke about Taaffe and QB Arch Manning, who suffered a concussion last week, on Thursday.
“Both Arch and Michael practiced again today,” Steve Sarkisian said. “I don’t have anything beyond for Arch just because we have to follow the protocol and the days and the rest. Arch has made good progress as well as Michael.”
While Manning was taken off the injury report on Friday, Taaffe remained on it. As a result, it was not until shortly before the game on Saturday that a final decision on Taaffe’s status was made. It was reported by insider CJ Vogel on Saturday morning that Taaffe is out for Saturday’s game.
“Texas DB Michael Taaffe (hand) is OUT today vs. Vanderbilt. Taaffe walked onto the field a moment ago and has not participated in any of the pregame warmups.”
#Texas DB Michael Taaffe (hand) is OUT today vs. Vanderbilt.
Taaffe walked onto the field a moment ago and has not participated in any of the pregame warmups. @ontexasfootball pic.twitter.com/DByTxRBEAL
— CJ Vogel (@CJVogel_OTF) November 1, 2025
Texas Will Need to Win a Critical Game Against Vanderbilt Without Safety Michael Taaffe
The Longhorns will not have Michael Taaffe on Saturday against Vanderbilt, but they will still need to find a way to win. The Longhorns have a 6-2 record, which is not terrible, but does not live up to preseason expectations. As a result, the team is currently on a trajectory that will result in it missing the College Football Playoff.
However, the Longhorns still have control of their destiny. If they defeat No. 9-ranked Vanderbilt this week, they will be back in the mix. They will still have a tough road to finish the season, with games against No. 5-ranked Georgia and No. 3-ranked Texas A&M, but they need to start by defeating Vanderbilt on Saturday.
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