In a Week 2 win over Kansas, the school’s first-ever conference game as a member of the Big 12, TCU’s leading rusher suffered what ultimately became a season-ending knee injury.
Two weeks later, Waymon James’ replacement has his own injury issue with which to deal as well.
Horned Frogs head coach Gary Patterson confirmed Tuesday that Matthew Tucker will be a game-time decision for Saturday’s conference game against Iowa State. Tucker injured his left ankle in the second quarter of the win over SMU this past weekend and, while he briefly returned to that game following the injury, his availability for this weekend’s game is very much up in the air.
Tucker currently leads the Horned Frogs in rushing yards with 208 on 52 carries, although his yards per carry is nearly six yards less than James was averaging (9.9) at the time of his injury.
The Dallas Morning News notes that, if Tucker is unable to go and due to injury issues that have slammed headfirst into TCU at the position, Patterson is considering sliding No. 2 quarterback Trevone Boykin a few feet back in the backfield. The redshirt freshman has never played the position, but is averaging over 10 yards a carry (12-122) this season in his role as backup to starter Casey Pachall.