Is Isaac Smith playing against Texas in Week 5? Latest injury updates for Bulldogs.

Mississippi State football is set to kickoff in Austin against the Texas Longhorns in less than an hour. Here's the latest injury report for the Bulldogs ahead of today's game...

Safety Isaac Smith a game-time decision for Mississippi State football

Going into Saturday, the lone Bulldog we were waiting to hear the status of was star safety Isaac Smith. Smith was listed as probable earlier in the week but was downgraded to questionable by Friday. As of the final injury update, Isaac Smith is now considered a game-time decision for the Bulldogs in Austin. Smith is far and away Mississippi State's best defensive player, and considering the number of players already out on that side of the ball, losing him would be an even bigger deal. That said, given State's slim chances against Texas, perhaps holding him out wouldn't be the worst idea.

Bulldog defense remains banged-up

As mentioned, State is dealing with a number of injuries on the defensive side of the ball. DL Kalvin Dinkins and Kedrick Bingley-Jones, CBs Traveon Wright and DeAgo Brumfield, and safeties Tyler Woodard and Chris Keys Jr. are all out on Saturday. The DBs in that group are all depth pieces, but with Isaac Smith a game-time decision, missing them could be a bigger issue.

Michael Van Buren making first start with Blake Shapen out

Bulldogs starting QB Blake Shapen is officially done for the year after an injury suffered against Florida. As a result, true freshman and 4-star signee Michael Van Buren will make his first start for Mississippi State. Also missing from the offensive lineup are RB Keyvone Lee and WRs Creed Whittemore (redshirting remainder of season) and Trent Hudson.

Quinn Ewers officially out for Texas, Arch Manning starting

Mississippi State will face another Manning. Arch Manning will make his second-straight start at QB for Texas with Quinn Ewers still working his way back from injury. Manning had an up-and-down first start last week against ULM. We'll see if he takes a step forward against a struggling Bulldog defense.