Texas Tech vs. Houston Injury Report: How Will the Red Raiders Play Without Tyler Shough?

Texas Tech has been known for its high-flying offense that resonates well with the Big-12 conference. But, in their opening game, injury news struck again for the Red Raiders.

Texas Tech Injury Report:

Tyler Shough, QB, Senior:

They scored touchdowns in the first two drives of Texas Tech's opening game. The first came just plays after Tyler Shough completed a 45-yard pass to wideout Loic Fouonji. This resulted in a four-play, 94-yard drive that Shough led the Red Raiders. By the end of the second drive, Shough was four-of-five passes for 125 yards and one touchdown.

Then Shough ran a quarterback draw and came down hard on his shoulder, where he suffered a collarbone injury prior. Not too long after, he was replaced by Donovan Smith and was seen in a sling. By video, Shough likely suffered an AC joint sprain with an avulsion fracture at the end of the clavicle, according to our College Football Docs. 

This injury will likely force him to miss multiple ranked opponent games, such as Oklahoma State, Houston, and NC State. They also play their heated rival, the Texas Longhorns, in the upcoming weeks. He should avoid having surgery, so look for him to return in October if the rehab process goes well.

Adrian Frye, DB, Sixth-year senior

While defending a 54-yard touchdown pass from D.J. Williams to Jacob Bell, Texas Tech cornerback Adrian Frye suffered a thigh contusion. After halftime, Frye was seen without his pads and didn't return to the game. 

"I would expect for him to play," said Joey McGuire, according to Yahoo Sports. "It was one of those where it was hurting him pretty bad, and you didn't want to throw him back in there when you had Malik Dunlap and (Rayshad Williams), and then Kobee (Minor) played really well."

Texas Tech's opponent this week is the red-hot Houston Cougars. After being ranked in the top 25, the Cougars didn't disappoint with a 37-35 win over UTSA. The game was exciting as quarterback Clayton Tune threw three touchdowns and one touchdown on the ground. But, even though Tune dominated, the Cougar's run game missed their injured running back. 

Houston Injury Report:

Alton McCaskill, RB, Sophomore:

McCaskill tore his ACL in an April practice and will miss the season for the Cougars. The team only averaged 3.2 yards per carry and zero touchdowns in their opening game against UTSA. The leading rusher was Clayton Tune, who tied for their longest run. The team couldn't get the ground game going, and that's a big reason why UTSA was able to stay in the game. The ability to not run the clock out with their AAC rookie of the year, Alton McCaskill, is devastating. His injury might be a more significant loss than initially expected.

Donavan Mutin, LB, Senior:

After a scary injury last season, Donavan Mutin returns fully healthy to the Cougars.

The injury was reported to be a Grade 1 concussion, and Mutin was unconscious for several minutes. According to the Houston Chronicle, he was motionless and unresponsive. But, luckily he was ruled to have no further damage to his brain or spinal cord. In his first game of the 2022 season, he led the Cougars in tackles with 11.