TCU injury report: Frogs depleted along O-line, WR corps as they take on Texas Tech
TCU football continues to deal with injuries to key contributors.
Defensive tackle Corey Bethley and safety Deshawn McCuin were missing on defense for Saturday’s game at Texas Tech. Offensively, wide receivers JD Spielman and Quentin Johnston; starting guards Wes Harris and John Lanz; and tight end Carter Ware were sidelined.
Bethley is the Frogs’ most experienced defensive tackle and started the first two games. But he’s been sidelined the last three weeks with an undisclosed injury.
McCuin is another defensive player who could have made an impact in a depleted secondary. McCuin started at free safety against SMU but has been limited so far this season.
The good news for TCU is that Bud Clark returned to the secondary on Saturday. Clark started at free safety with T.J. Carter at weak and Nook Bradford at strong safety. La’Kendrick VanZandt had started the first four games at strong safety for the Frogs.
Cornerback Noah Daniels also dressed for the Tech game. Daniels, arguably TCU’s best NFL prospect, saw limited action in his season debut last week against Texas. Daniels did not start the game.
Harris, meanwhile, was expected to emerge as an anchor on the offensive line but has only played two games (Cal and SMU). The Aledo product has battled through injuries much of his career, playing in just eight games the past three seasons.
Lanz has started three of the four games and will create another hole along the offensive line.
TCU’s starting guards were Brandon Coleman and Coy McMillon with Steve Avila at center. Obinna Eze was at left tackle while Andrew Coker played right tackle.
Johnston and Spielman are significant losses as both are playmakers on offense. Johnston, who sustained a knee injury late in last week’s Texas game, is the team’s second-leading receiver with 170 yards. He had two TD receptions against Cal earlier this season. Spielman had a long kickoff return and a receiving touchdown in last week’s loss to Texas. For the season, Spielman has eight catches for 125 yards and two TDs.
OU time set
TCU will face Oklahoma at 6:30 p.m. next Saturday in Norman. The game will be televised on ABC. That game had been given the six-day window by the Big 12.
OU is coming off a victory over Texas in the Red River Showdown.
This story was originally published October 9, 2021 at 4:49 PM.
