Bond (ankle) day-to-day, but Horns ‘optimistic’

Texas wide receiver Isaiah Bond, the No. 1 Longhorns’ leading pass catcher this fall, is day-to-day because of an ankle injury ahead of Saturday’s visit from No. 5 Georgia, coach Steve Sarkisian said Monday.

Bond exited in the second quarter and did not return to Texas’ victory against Oklahoma on Saturday. Afterward, Sarkisian referred to the injury as a reaggravation of a previous ankle issue and said the Longhorns would continue to monitor Bond’s status.

Two days later, Sarkisian was encouraged by Bond’s recovery and said his status for Saturday wouldl become clearer later in the week.

“I feel better about [him] today than I felt Saturday when he couldn’t finish the ball game,” Sarkisian said. “I’m optimistic, but he’ll be day-to-day.”

Bond, an Alabama transfer, leads all Texas wide receivers with 21 receptions for 369 yards and three touchdowns this season. He caught one pass for 5 yards against Oklahoma before heading to the locker room in Week 7.

He is one of five Longhorns receivers with at least 10 catches this season.

Sarkisian also said sophomore safety Derek Williams Jr. would undergo surgery and sit out the rest of the season because of an undisclosed injury. Williams, a reserve member of the Longhorns secondary, had 11 tackles with an interception and a forced fumble in four games this fall.