TCU head coach Gary Patterson announced Tuesday that starting linebacker Sammy Douglas, a junior, is out for the season due to an undisclosed injury.
Douglas started the season opening game against Minnesota alongside true freshman Mike Freeze, but left during the second defensive series after suffering an injury. Redshirt freshman Ty Summers replaced him and will likely take over his starting role. The Horned Frogs went on to defeat the Minnesota Golden Gophers 23-17.
Douglas was the team’s most experienced linebacker, having played 13 games last season. He was also the only upperclassmen at TCU available in the position.
In addition, Patterson noted that defensive end James McFarland may be out for the rest of the season. McFarland had missed Thursday’s game due to a foot injury. He led the team with seven sacks last season and was chosen as the defensive Most Valuable Player in the Chick-Fil-A Peach Bowl against Ole Miss last season.
The loss of the two star players could potentially be a major setback for the Horned Frogs, who went 12-1 in 2014.