Kevorian Barnes injury update: Major report emerges on status vs. SMU

TCU running back Kevorian Barnes is questionable to play against SMU on Saturday, per ESPN’s Pete Thamel. Barnes is the Horned Frogs’ leading rusher this season with 156 yards through two games.

Barnes was particularly spectacular in TCU’s season-opening win North Carolina. In the victory, Barnes logged a game-high 113 rushing yards and a touchdown on just 11 carries.

Barnes was off to a hot start again in TCU’s win over Abilene Christian. However, after suffering an apparent lower-leg injury in the second quarter, Barnes left the game and didn’t return after halftime.

Barnes transferred to TCU this offseason after spending four years at UTSA. Barnes had his best campaign with the Roadrunners in 2022, when he erupted for 851 rushing yards, 113 receiving yards and six total touchdowns.

For his efforts, he was named the 2022 Conference USA Freshman of the Year. He followed up the breakout season with another solid campaign. In 2023, Barnes tallied 715 rushing yards and six scores.

Alas, Barnes’ production fell off last season when he received fewer snaps for UTSA. In turn, Barnes took his talents to Fort Worth in hopes of reaching his former heights. TCU head coach Sonny Dykes raved about Kevorian Barnes ahead of the season.

“The biggest thing we want to see is guys that run downhill, and finish runs and play physical,” Dykes said. “Not only carrying the ball but pass protection. He’s been consistent in catching the ball coming out of the backfield. He’s assignment sound, he knows what to do. He’s got a lot of experience, he’s been a really productive guy in the past.

“He’s been what we thought he was going to be, and I think obviously a little bit better. He’s a hard guy to tackle and I think that’s something we haven’t necessarily had here in the last couple of years is a real physical, downhill runner.”

Now, the Horned Frogs will have to prepare to face off against SMU, potentially without their star running back. SMU is 2-1 this season, most recently defeating Missouri State in a 28-10 effort.

The Mustangs’ defense is vulnerable to the run game. In SMU’s Week 2 loss against Baylor, the Mustangs gave up 161 yards and two touchdowns in the ground game. Baylor running back Bryson Washington amassed 115 yards alone.

TCU and SMU will square off noon ET on Saturday. The game will air live on ESPN2.