Justin Rogers “close” to being cleared to play this year

It’s looking more and more likely that freshman QB Justin Rogers will see the field in 2018, perhaps providing a glimmer of hope in a season that has felt perpetually covered by a gray cloud.

The former five star recruit has been biding his time on the sideline as he recovered from a serious knee injury suffered early in his senior season of high school ball, and is expected to redshirt this fall. But, with the new four game “redshirt rule”, it’s conceivable that we could see the Louisiana product on the field before the final game is played.

Gary Patterson took the podium Tuesday for his weekly press conference, and, of course, Rogers’ name was brought up after it was revealed Monday that Shawn Robinson would have surgery, ending his sophomore campaign. Patterson noted that Rogers’ knee is fully healed and he has been cleared from that injury, but there is a remaining hurdle of drop foot.

Drop foot is generally remedied through physical therapy and exercises, and is not usually a permanent condition.

Rogers is currently listed as third on the depth chart, behind starter Michael Collins - a sophomore who saw his first significant action of the season against Oklahoma last week - and Grayson Muehlstein, a fifth year senior who has limited collegiate experience. The Frogs have just five games remaining in the regular season, and need three wins to get bowl eligible. Rogers could take snaps in up to four of those games without burning his redshirt, and from the sound of things, will see at least some action this year.

Rogers chose TCU over 27 other offers, as the number three ranked dual-threat quarterback in the country. He completed over 65% of his pass attempts during his junior season, a year in which he threw for over 2600 yards and 26 touchdowns while rushing for 566 and nine scores.