TCU Faces Two Crucial Availability Questions Ahead Of Big 12 Opener

TCU's lineup faces uncertainty as key players Jordan Dwyer and Zach Chapman battle injuries ahead of their Big 12 showdown with UCF.

TCU may be getting two important pieces back just in time for its Big 12 opener.

Senior wide receiver Jordan Dwyer and senior edge rusher Zach Chapman were both listed as questionable for the Horned Frogs’ game at Central Florida, set for 2:30 p.m. Saturday on FS1. Each missed the non-conference stretch because of lower body injuries, but both are moving closer to making their season debuts.

Dwyer’s return has been trending in a positive direction all week. TCU coach Sonny Dykes said Tuesday that he expected the senior receiver to play against the Knights.

“It’ll be good to have Jordan back this week because I think that as we went through fall camp, I thought Jaden (Craig) and Jordan really got on the same page,” Dykes said Tuesday. “It’s going to be good to have Jordan back out there where Jaden knows exactly what he’s going to get from him.”

Dwyer was one of TCU’s biggest playmakers last season, finishing second on the team with 730 yards and seven touchdowns.

Chapman’s situation sounded less certain earlier in the week, though he did practice Tuesday.

“He practiced (Tuesday), we’ll kind of see how he does during the week and what his availability is going to be on Saturday,” Dykes said.

TCU’s availability report also listed running back Jon Denman as questionable. Defensive tackle Perry Cole, kicker Kyle Lemmermann, offensive linemen Devan Robison and Creece Brister, and wide receiver Cooper Reid were all ruled out. Offensive lineman Ryan Hughes was listed as probable.

UCF’s report included a long list of unavailable players as well. Wide receiver Duane Thomas Jr., quarterbacks Alonza Barnett III and Dante Carr, defensive back Antonio Branch Jr., linebacker Lewis Carter, defensive tackle Trenton Turner, offensive lineman Owen Spell, wide receiver Zack Palmer and edge rusher Alhassan Iddrissu were all out.

The Knights listed wide receiver Jonathan Bibbs and defensive back Kahmel Johnson as questionable. Tight end Dylan Wade, defensive back Jaden Bellamy, quarterback Keyone Jenkins, linebacker Jaden Jennings and offensive lineman Cooper Terpstra were all probable.

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