Bergeron cleared to play for Longhorns

Texas Longhorns starting tailback Joe Bergeron is progressing from a shoulder injury and will play against Oklahoma State on Saturday. 

Bergeron injured his shoulder in the second half of UT's 66-31 win against Mississippi on Sept. 15. He did not practice last week but said he feels fine heading into the Longhorns' first Big 12 game of the season. 

"It was really nothing, [just] a little bit of bruising," Bergeron said. "I'm cleared [to play]."

The sophomore has split time in the backfield with Malcolm Brown, but Bergeron has started all three games for Texas this year. Bergeron has 37 carries for 207 yards and three touchdowns. He has four receptions for 48 yards and is second on the team with 291 all-purpose yards. 

Bergeron's health is good news for the Longhorns, but they still have some injury concerns. 

Linebacker Jordan Hicks injured his hip against Ole Miss and his status for Saturday's game is uncertain. Hicks did not practice last week. 

Hicks is the most experienced linebacker for Texas with 11 career starts and he leads the team with 23 tackles (12 solo) this season. If the junior is unable to play against the Cowboys, the Longhorns will use either sophomore Kendall Thompson, freshman Dalton Santos or sophomore Tevin Jackson as a replacement.

"They're young, so making good plays, but they're not playing consistently well," head coach Mack Brown said. "We have to get better across the board at linebacker."

Place kicker Anthony Fera is nursing a groin injury and his status for Saturday's game is also uncertain. Fera, who transferred from Penn State in August, suffered the injury in preseason practice and has not played this season. He did not practice last week either.

By Austin Laymance/Special to the Star-Telegram