No. 3 TCU already without both starting linebackers

Published Sep. 10, 2015 3:47 p.m. ET

foxsports

FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) Third-ranked TCU has already lost both of its starting linebackers a game into the season.

True freshman Mike Freeze has taken an indefinite leave of absence from the team and won't play in Saturday's home opener against Stephen F. Austin.

Coach Gary Patterson said Freeze's decision was for personal reasons. The coach said after practice Wednesday that he was surprised by the move and didn't know how long Freeze would be gone.

Freeze enrolled early and went through spring practice with the Horned Frogs. He became a starter in the 4-2-5 scheme, and had seven tackles in the opening 23-17 victory at Minnesota.

Patterson said this week that junior linebacker Sammy Douglas was done for the season. Douglas suffered an undisclosed injury early in his first career start.