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AUSTIN – One of the themes of 11th-ranked Texas’ 41-7 win over UTEP Saturday night was how many starters the Longhorns held out of the game, either by choice or because they were forced to sit them down.

The good news Charlie Strong delivered after the game was that he expects to be pretty close to full strength next week when the Longhorns play their first road game of the season against Cal.

“Most of those guys, they all will be back next week when we go to Cal,” Strong said.

Running back D’Onta Foreman was held out as a precautionary measure with what Horns247 was told was a minor injury. Offensive coordinator Sterlin Gilbert said after the game that Foreman probably could have played in an emergency situation, but such an occurance didn’t surface against UTEP.

The offensive line was hit hard with injuries. Left tackle Connor Williams (head injury) and right guard Kent Perkins (knee) dressed out of the game but stood and watched from the sideline.

With tight end Caleb Bluiett -- who a source with knowledge of the situation told Horns247 was pretty beat up after the Notre Dame game -- on the bench the Longhorns were missing four key cogs in the running game.

However, Foreman is expected to be back next week and Strong sounded optimistic that the other three will be on the field against the Golden Bears.

“I will have those guys back,” Strong said. “Bluiett will be back. Connor will be back. Big Perk will be back. We’ll get those guys back.”

Starting center Zach Shackelford left the game in the first half with ankle injury. The Belton product didn’t return and his status for next weekend’s contest was unknown as he was being evaluated late Saturday night.

Offensive tackle Tristan Nickelson was on crutches after he was rolled up on against Notre Dame last Sunday. Brandon Hodges appears to have taken over at right tackle as the starter, although Nickelson is a player who can provide quality reps if he’s available.

Running back Kirk Johnson remains out with a knee injury.

The Longhorns did get some good news on the injury front this week as wide receiver Lorenzo Joe returned to the field. The junior injured his hamstring in preseason camp and appears to be ahead of schedule as his initial target date to return was initially the Cal according to a source with knowledge of the situation.

On the other side of the ball the only two situations to monitor are in the secondary.

Safety Dylan Haines left the Notre Dame with a head injury and didn’t play against UTEP. Haines was on the field working with the training staff before the game on Saturday, so he could be one of those players who returns to action next weekend.

According to the Longhorn IMG Radio Network, cornerback Sheroid Evans left the game in the second half with an undisclosed injury. He didn’t return, which allowed Kris Boyd to get some game reps.

Defensive end Bryce Cottrell made his 2016 debut on Saturday night after not playing against Notre Dame due to an injury he suffered in camp.

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