TCU football injury update: Running back won’t play against Cincinnati
TCU leading rusher Kevorian Barnes will miss the regular-season finale against Cincinnati, head coach Sonny Dykes announced Tuesday.
It will be the third straight game Barnes has missed. He hasn’t played since TCU’s 20-17 loss to Iowa State on Nov. 8. Barnes suffered a lower-body injury against Abilene Christian on Sept. 13 and has struggled with the injury most of the season.
The closest Barnes got to being 100% was against Baylor on Oct. 18 when he rushed for 106 yards and two touchdowns in the Horned Frogs’ 42-36 win.
Barnes played sparingly against West Virginia on Oct. 25 and was limited to just 25 yards against Iowa State on Nov. 8. He didn’t play at BYU or Houston.
The senior running back had 443 yards and three touchdowns this season. A transfer pickup from Texas-San Antonio, Barnes emerged as the starting running back after a strong fall camp and provided physicality and power to the run game.
Now, TCU will likely lean on sophomore Jeremy Payne and freshman Jon Denman. Payne rushed for 103 yards against Houston, and Denman added 37 yards.
Bud Clark could return; Cade Bennett will
In other injury news, preseason All-Big 12 safety Bud Clark could potentially return Saturday after missing last week’s game. Starting left guard Cade Bennett is expected back against the Bearcats as well, starting center Coltin Deery said.
TCU will face Cincinnati at 2:30 p.m. Saturday at Amon G. Carter Stadium. The game will be televised on Fox.
This story was originally published November 25, 2025 at 1:47 PM.
