Reports: Texas starting center Dominic Espinosa could miss season with ankle injury

Texas’ first game under head coach Charlie Strong was full of positives. The Longhorns dominated North Texas on both sides of the ball en route to a 38-7 win, but the lone negative occurred when starting center Dominic Espinosa went down with a foot injury late in the win.

Sunday it was reported by OrangeBloods.com that Espinosa, a fifth-year senior from Cedar Park, Texas, broke his right ankle and could be out for the season.

Other outlets subsequently confirmed Espinosa’s injury, though Texas has yet to confirm the prognosis publicly.

The loss of the 6-foot-2, 308-pound Espinosa is a tough blow for the Longhorns. Saturday marked his 40th consecutive start at center and he was undoubtedly the backbone of a mostly inexperienced line. When Espinosa went down Saturday, redshirt freshman Jake Raulerson came in and a botched exchange between Raulerson and quarterback David Ash led to North Texas’ only score of the game.

Per the Houston Chronicle, Strong did not comment on Espinosa’s injury after the game, but did offer that the coaching staff may have to “restructure the line” in his absence.

Strong is scheduled to meet with the media Monday, where he could offer further details about Espinosa’s injury.

Texas’ next game is Saturday night at home against BYU.

For more Texas news, visit Orangebloods.com.

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Sam Cooper is a contributor for the Yahoo Sports blogs. Have a tip? Email him or follow him on Twitter!

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