With TCU set to kick off the Big 12 Conference slate against Arizona State on Friday, both teams have released their injury reports, which will be published weekly under new conference guidelines issued this year. TCU will once again be without starting running back Kevorian Barnes, who injured his leg during the team’s victory over Abilene Christian roughly two weeks ago. The Horned Frogs will also be without wide receiver Jordyn Bailey, cornerback Avery Helm and kicker Kyle Lemmermann. Below are
the full reports from both teams.
It’s unfortunate that Barnes will miss his second straight game, as he had been playing well until injuring his leg against Abilene. The UTSA transfer rushed for a 75-yard touchdown and totaled over 100 yards on the ground during TCU’s win over North Carolina. The good news is that both Jeremy Payne (12 carries for 53 yards and 3 catches for 29 yards and a touchdown) and Trent Battle (7 carries for 60 yards) played well against SMU. I believe those two, plus a sprinkling of Jon Denman and Nate Palmer, should be able to hold it down Friday.
I’m also somewhat concerned about the Lemmermann injury, as he also played well in the UNC game and seemed primed for a better sophomore year after an up-and-down freshman season. The backup kicker, Nate McCashland, who has made all 11 of his PATs over the last two games, has not converted a field goal in a college game in his career.
As for Helm, who missed all of last season to a knee injury, he seemed to struggle in the Abilene game and perhaps needs more time to get back to full speed. Vernon Glover Jr., who made two key plays toward the end of the SMU game, Channing Canada and Jevon McIver Jr. will be counted on to slow down a Sun Devil passing attack that features arguably the best wide receiver in the nation, Jordan Tyson.
