TCU coach Sonny Dykes provides injury updates on key Horned Frogs
After completing their sixth practice Monday, the Horned Frogs are gearing up to move into the next phase of training camp with season opener at Stanford looming.
While much of the first five practices focused on installation and teaching,on Monday TCU increased the pace with extended situational work.
TCU worked on its goal line offense and simulated a game-like scenario where the offense needed to pick up a first down. In totality the offense had its best day of training camp with multiple touchdowns and big plays during the team period of practice, however the biggest storyline from Monday’s practice was the latest update on injuries to key Horned Frogs.
Cornerbacks Avery Helm and Vernon Glover both suffered lower body injuries over the weekend and were present at practice with large braces on their knees and crutches. Coach Sonny Dykes said the next two will be critical for their status.
“Avery got a little banged up, not sure on him yet,” Dykes said. “We’re kind of waiting to see how that’s going to play out. Vernon’s a little banged up as well, so both those guys we’re not sure yet. Obviously it’s two corners, our hope is we get good news on those guys and it’s not as serious as it could be. That will play out here in the next 48-72 hours.”
Helm was projected to be TCU’s top cover cornerback this season after starting 11 games last season. Glover saw his role continued to increase his sophomore season as he got extended reps in TCU’s dime package and was battling for reps with the second team defense.
On Monday, TCU leaned on JaTravis Broughton and Channing Canada as the starting corners with LaMareon James and Jevon McIver Jr. being the second group to go. Both Canada and Broughton had good moments during the team period including an impressive pass breakup by Broughton on Jack Bech on a play action pass from Josh Hoover on the sideline.
While the Horned Frogs wait on the status of their two of their key cornerbacks, Dykes also shared update on San Diego State transfer offensive lineman Cade Bennett’s status for the season.
“Cade had a disc issue that is going to be surgical,” Dykes said. “He got here, started working out and it flared up on him over the summer. We thought he was going to be good, so it just got to the point where we got an MRI and it was one of those things where he could’ve tried to work through it, but it was going to be bad for him long term.
“So our decision was let’s address this and get this thing fixed and get you back. Our hope is he’ll come back with two years of eligibility and he won’t be able to help us this year, but he’ll be a key contributor next season.”
Bennett was arguably TCU’s biggest offensive transfer after two excellent seasons with the Aztecs. Bennett was voted second team All-Mountain West Conference the last two seasons and was voted SDSU’s best offensive lineman last season.
At minimum Bennett would’ve competed with fellow transfers Remington Strickland and Carson Bruno for the starting offensive guard positions. Now, TCU loses a key body on the offensive line and has to keep hope that the same thing doesn’t happen to the cornerback room.
