‘It continues to get worse.’ Injuries still piling up for TCU football
TCU football moved a cornerback to running back last week. Now the Horned Frogs might need a wide receiver to play quarterback.
That’s the type of injury-plagued season it’s been for TCU, which is preparing for its home finale against Kansas at 3 p.m. Saturday at Amon G. Carter Stadium.
“We’re decimated by injuries,” TCU interim coach Jerry Kill said. “There’s no excuses. I’ve never had one in my life so you have to find a way to get it done, but I’ve never seen anything like it. And it continues to get worse.”
For TCU (4-6, 2-5 Big 12), the worst is happening at the most important position on the field — quarterback. Starter Max Duggan hasn’t played the past two games and has limited mobility since breaking a bone in his foot at Texas Tech on Oct. 9.
Backup Chandler Morris played well against Baylor two weeks ago, but then struggled and was injured during a 63-17 loss at Oklahoma State on Saturday. So was true freshman Sam Jackson, who separated his shoulder in what became the worst loss in program history since 1993.
Add in that third-string quarterback Matthew Downing entered the NCAA transfer portal recently and TCU could be looking at wide receiver Jake Neufeld taking QB reps at practice this week.
Kill joked that a reporter might have to step up and play quarterback for the Frogs.
“We’re trying to figure that out right now,” Kill said. “I think Chandler will be ready to go. It’s just going to be the practice time. Max will be ready to go. The tough thing is they don’t get to practice. With the timing we had, it’s hard to keep that when you’re not practicing all the time. But Chandler did come talk to me and he feels a lot better. Neufeld might be a kid. He’s played quarterback before and has played receiver and we might move him back to quarterback possibly.
“That’s where we’re at and what we’re spending most of our time on. It’s not so much schemes and all that. It’s more about personnel and getting the right personnel on the field and trying to get our best that we have left out there and somehow keep them healthy.”
TCU sophomore wide receiver Blair Conwright downplayed the QB injuries, saying: “Anyone that’s on the field, we trust them to perform at a high level. Quarterback-wise, we trust anybody back there.”
On the running back front, TCU leading rusher Zach Evans is expected to miss his fourth straight game with a lingering turf toe injury. Kill said Evans is 80% healthy right now, but “80% is not 100%.”
So Evans, who is leading the team with 648 yards rushing, will be on the sidelines again with the possibility of playing in the regular-season finale at Iowa State on Nov. 26.
Senior running back Emari Demercado will be limited in practice this week, but should be ready to go Saturday. The Frogs are also hopeful that sophomore Kendre Miller returns this week.
In the meantime, freshman Ahmonte Watkins will continue working with the running backs after spending most of the season with the cornerbacks. Against Oklahoma State, Watkins had four carries for 21 yards and two catches for 32 yards.
“Right now, we don’t have a running back that is healthy,” Kill said. “Emari won’t practice today. The Watkins kid is going to get a lot of reps in practice. We’ve just got to do what we’ve got to do.”
Coaching watch
Conwright and safety Nook Bradford were the TCU players who met with the media on Tuesday, and neither are overly concerned about the ongoing coaching search.
TCU parted ways with longtime coach Gary Patterson on Oct. 31 and the pressing question around campus is who will take over the program.
“I block it out for now,” Conwright said. “I’m worried about this season. Can’t really look forward until we finish this season.”
Added Bradford: “I don’t really follow it. We have two games, possibly three games left, so that’s where my focus has been.”
Briefly
▪ TCU long snapper Antonio Ortiz was named a semifinalist Tuesday for the Patrick Mannelly Award, which is presented to the country’s best long snapper.
▪ TCU is 8-1 against KU since joining the Big 12 in 2012, including 4-0 in games played in Fort Worth.
▪ Saturday is Senior Day for TCU’s football team. It’s unknown whether former coach Gary Patterson will attend the festivities but TCU officials have said Patterson is always welcomed on campus.
