TCU’s secondary sustains another setback as CB Julius Lewis is sidelined with injury

TCU’s secondary sustained another blow before the season opener.

Starting cornerback Julius Lewis injured his knee in practice this week, and missed the season opener against Arkansas-Pine Bluff.

Lewis is expected to miss two or three weeks, coach Gary Patterson said following Saturday’s 39-7 victory over UAPB. That would make him unlikely to be ready for TCU’s next game at Purdue on Sept. 14.

It’s another setback to a secondary unit that lost third cornerback Noah Daniels in fall camp.

Lewis played in all 13 games last season. He is expected to be a significant contributor to this year’s defense.

True freshman Kee’Yon Stewart replaced Lewis as the first-team defensive back. Stewart made a nice play to tip up a pass that led to an interception by freshman safety Ar’Darius Washington in the first quarter. But Stewart also gave up a big play on the night.

Senior Keenan Reed is listed as another backup option on the depth chart. True freshman Tre’Vius Hodges-Tomlinson is also listed on the two-deep behind starter Jeff Gladney.

TCU has had the Big 12’s top-ranked pass defense the past two seasons.

This story was originally published August 31, 2019 at 5:39 PM.