The injury status of Texas Longhorns redshirt senior safety Michael Taaffe is in question with Tuesday’s report from Pete Nakos of On3Sports that Taaffe underwent thumb surgery on Monday.
According to Nakos, Taaffe is expected to return at some point this season, but even the short-term loss of Taaffe would be significant for the Longhorns — the former walk on is a team leader and integral to communication and playmaking in the secondary as a reliable force in coverage and as a tackler.
A missed tackle forced by Florida running back Jadan Baugh is the only missed tackle credited to Taaffe this year by Pro Football Focus. As a pass defender, Taaffe has allowed seven catches on nine targets for 41 yards. With a grade of 91.1, Taaffe is tied as the highest-graded safety in the country, according to PFF.
Taaffe leads the Longhorns with 51 tackles, adding one tackle for loss, one sack, and one interception.
Redshirt sophomore Derek Williams is listed as Taaffe’s backup, but has played sparingly this season, logging 88 snaps in his return from a season-ending knee injury and recording seven tackles so far.