STARKVILLE — Mississippi State football coach Jeff Lebby did not have a definitive update on star quarterback Kamario Taylor's injury status in his Oct. 26 news conference.

"We're still in the process of looking at everything," Lebby said. "He is doing good. His spirits are good, but as we continue to move forward, I think we'll know a lot more here in the next 48 hours."

Mississippi State (4-3, 2-3 SEC) plays at No. 11 Texas (5-2, 3-2) on Oct. 31 (6:30 p.m., ESPN).

Lebby also announced starting linebacker Jalen Smith suffered a season-ending injury from the Oct. 3 game against Alabama. Lebby said Smith had surgery but did not reveal what the injury is.

Taylor, who was considered a contender for the Heisman Trophy early in the season, returned to play against Oklahoma on Oct. 24 after missing the previous game but only lasted one quarter. He exited after scrambling on a failed fourth-down attempt.

Mississippi State has not said what Taylor's exact injury is, besides that he reaggravated it against Oklahoma. Taylor watched the remainder of the game from the sideline with a boot on his right foot.

Billy Puckett, who started the LSU game with Taylor out, played the final three quarters against Oklahoma. The Bulldogs lost, 23-15, for their third consecutive loss. Puckett completed 17 of his 24 passes for 158 yards, one touchdown, one interception, 37 rushing yards and one lost fumble.

Lebby said after the game that Puckett and Appalachian State transfer AJ Swann will compete for starting reps in the scenario that Taylor can't play against Texas. Swann has not played this season.

Smith, a senior from Grayson, Georgia, had 28 tackles this season with one tackle for loss and one interception. The Bulldogs have started Fatt Forrest in Smith's place the last two games.

Kamario Taylor stats

Here are Taylor's stats in 2026:

• Completion percentage: 65.4%

• Passing yards: 1,460

• Passing touchdowns: 17

• Interceptions: 4

• Rushing yards: 147

• Rushing touchdowns: 1