Shortly before TCU’s game with West Virginia yesterday, it was reported that Brandon Carter would not play due to what was only described as a “family situation.”
The way Gary Patterson talked after the overtime loss to the Mountaineers, the absence could bleed into next weekend and possibly beyond.
The head coach confirmed to the media in his postgame talk Saturday that Carter has been granted what the Fort Worth Star-Telegram labeled as a leave of absence. Of course, Patterson did not get into any particulars or specifics of the situation involving Carter, other than it appears to be family-related.
“It was a personal thing,” the coach said. “It has nothing to do with me. It had to do with him personally, off the field, and what he needed to do with his family.”
As for an ETA on a return, Patterson simply stated “I haven’t talked to him” when asked if Carter would be back for the final quarter of the season.
Carter entered Week 10 second on the team in receptions with 17 and tied for third in receiving yards with 197. Coming into this season, he was the Horned Frogs’ leading returning receiver as his 36-590-6 statline from 2012 was second only to the departed Josh Boyce.
In mid-August, Carter underwent hand surgery, although it did not cost him any actual game time.