TCU could be down several important pieces when it faces West Virginia on Saturday morning, with leading rusher Jeremy Payne, tight end Kari Ashley and edge rusher Zach Chapman all listed as questionable on the latest player availability report.
The Horned Frogs and Mountaineers meet at 11 a.m. Saturday on ESPN 2, and TCU entered the week with a few notable names in limbo.
Payne, who was hurt on TCU’s first series against Baylor and left in the first quarter, leads the team with 429 rushing yards and two touchdowns. With him sidelined in that game, sixth-year player Landon Walker handled most of the carries, though he is listed as doubtful for the West Virginia matchup.
Ashley’s status matters just as much for the passing game. He has 29 catches for 382 yards and four touchdowns, and he was listed as probable in last week’s availability report before playing against Baylor. If he cannot go, TCU would be missing one of the nation’s most productive tight ends.
Chapman is also up in the air after missing the season’s first four games. He has been on the field the last two weeks.
TCU’s report also lists cornerback Devondre McGee, wide receiver Fletchier Fierro, offensive lineman Devan Robinson, wide receiver Keagan Cunningham and wide receiver Cooper Reid as out. Defensive tackle Floyd Guidry is probable, while kicker Kyle Lemmermann is questionable.
West Virginia has its own injury list to manage. Safety Da’Mare Williams, nickel Emory Snyder, wide receiver Armoni Weaver-Bomar, running back Andre Devine and defensive lineman Darius Wiley are out. Defensive lineman Corey McIntyre Jr. is doubtful, defensive back Jason Chambers is questionable, and cornerback Nick Taylor, edge rusher Harper Holloman and wide receiver John Neider are probable.
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The challenge is not just about stopping the Mountaineers, but handling how they get there. Michael Hawkins Jr., Cam Cook and DJ Epps have been central to West Virginias success, and they give the Frogs multiple problems to solve on one field. For TCU, this is the sort of conference matchup that can say plenty about how far its defense has come, even before the final score tells the whole story. [Read more 🡒]
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Now the focus shifts to Kansas, where Baylor will try to shake off an uneven offensive showing and get back on track. Even after the setback, the Bears are still searching for the kind of clean, productive performance that can steady their standing and keep them from slipping further in the eyes of pollsters and national observers. [Read more 🡒]
