Texas Tech football: Kingsbury says McLane Carter “game-time decision”

Texas Tech football head coach Kliff Kingsbury met with the media Sunday where he said that injured starting quarterback McLane Carter will be a “game-time decision” with a high ankle sprain.

According to Texas Tech football head coach Kliff Kingsbury, junior quarterback McLane Carter will be a “game-time-decsion” for this Saturday’s home opener against Lamar.

"“…it looks like a high-ankle sprain so it’s kind of a tolerance deal.” Kingsbury said."

Carter left the game on Texas Tech’s third drive when his ankle appeared to be trapped under a defender as he was being tackled on a QB keeper.  It was an abrupt ending for the lefty who went 4-7 for 49 yards before his injury.

Unfortunately for Carter, it was the second time he has failed to finish a game he started for the Red Raiders.  He was pulled in the fourth quarter of his first career start last season in the week-12 game against Texas in Austin.

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Tech would mount a comeback in that game behind Nic Shimonek but that was not in the cards for the Red Raiders Saturday as true freshman Alan Bowman played well but could not rally his team from a 17-point deficit in Carter’s place.

When asked how the QB competition would be impacted if Carter is unable to play this week, Kingsbury was non-committal.

"“We’ll see.  Really a feel thing…Both guys (Bowman and sophomore Jett Duffey) could play.  One guy could play.  I’m just gonna take it through this week and see where McLane is at and make a decision towards the end of the week.”  Kingsbury said."

While the injury to Carter garnered the most attention from Saturday, unquestionably the most pressing injury situation for the team involves all-Big 12 safety Jah’Sahwn Johnson who missed the game with a shoulder injury.  Kingsbury sounded uncertain as to when the leader of his secondary might be back on the field.

"“…as we move forward the next couple of weeks we’re going to see if we can get him going and take it from there.”  Kingsbury said."

With FCS opponent Lamar on tap this week, it would seem unlikely that the coaching staff would want to expose Johnson to further injury in a game that is expected to be a glorified scrimmage.   It would appear that the September 15th home game against Houston in Lubbock would be the target for Johnson’s return.

Aside from the injury issue Kingsbury spoke highly of the play of Da’Leon Ward and said he was proud of how well Bowman handled his first game action under less than ideal circumstances.  He said that he was disappointed by the mental mistakes his team made and by the fact that they did not appear ready to play.

The upcoming week is going to be the most fascinating week prior to playing an FCS opponent in program history.  Keep checking in with Wreck ‘Em Red for everything Texas Tech football related.