TCU starting LB Mike Freeze takes 'personal leave of absence'
It’s only Week 2, but TCU is already scrambling to fill holes on defense.
Horned Frogs head coach Gary Patterson announced Wednesday that starting linebacker Mike Freeze, a true freshman, is taking a “personal leave of absence.” Patterson said he’s unsure how long Freeze will be away from the team.
From the Fort Worth Star-Telegram:
“I have no idea,” said Patterson, who learned of Freeze’s decision Tuesday. “Personal reasons.”
Asked how long the leave lasts, Patterson said, “I don’t know. Maybe forever.”
The move, though, is not related to discipline, Patterson said.
“I had nothing to do with it,” Patterson said. “It was personal. It wasn’t me.”
Asked if the news surprised him, Patterson said, “What do you think?”
The news of Freeze’s absence comes just a day after Patterson announced that junior Sammy Douglas – the team’s other starting linebacker – is out for the season.
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The Horned Frogs are also without defensive end James McFarland and defensive tackle Davion Pierson – both starters – for the foreseeable future. McFarland broke a toe when he “stepped on a sprinkler head,” Patterson said, and could miss the season. He has surgery scheduled for next week. Patterson has not offered specifics on Pierson’s injury.
“Some days, some years, it all goes according to plan. And some years it doesn’t,” Patterson said of the barrage of injuries. “They pay me to make sure whatever it does, I do what I’m supposed to do.”
With the injuries piling up, Patterson told reporters that fullback Paul Whitmill and safeties Montrel Wilson (who has been practicing with the first-team defense) and Travin Howard have all moved to linebacker.
Freshmen L.J. Collier, Breylin Mitchell and Tipa Galea’i will also see some snaps on the defensive line Saturday against Stephen F. Austin, Patterson said.
“We’ll be fine,” Patterson said. “I don’t know if we have depth. We’re going to find out. Right now, there’s nowhere that’s real deep. The guys, they’ll practice and we’ll do it. They’ve got 11 ballgames.”
For more TCU news, visit PurpleMenace.com.
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