The No. 1 Texas Longhorns got some good news on Hollywood Smothers ahead of Saturday's SEC showdown with No. 14 Tennessee, but the running back's status is still not certain.

Smothers was upgraded to “probable” on Friday's SEC availability report after being listed as “questionable” earlier in the week with a lower-body injury. The update gives Texas more reason to believe its leading rusher could be available in Knoxville.

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Still, the NC State transfer has not practiced this week. Smothers missed Wednesday and Thursday's sessions, leaving his status dependent on how his leg responds before kickoff.

If he is cleared, Texas could still limit his workload against Tennessee's defense. If Smothers cannot go, Raleek Brown and Derrek Cooper are expected to handle more of the carries for Steve Sarkisian's offense.