TCU defensive tackle Ross Blacklock out for season with Achilles injury

TCU defensive lineman Ross Blacklock suffered a season-ending Achilles injury in practice on Tuesday, 247 Sports reported on Wednesday night.

Blacklock, who was the co-Big 12 Defensive Freshman of the year and a FWAA Freshman All-American last season, was injured during a non-contact drill on Tuesday. The 6-foot-4, 330-pound lineman had 27 tackles, two sacks and 6.5 tackles for loss last year, and is widely considered a NFL prospect.

Blacklock’s injury marks the second major setback for the TCU defense, which is expected to be among the best in the Big 12 again this season. Four-star safety Atanza Vongor will likely miss the entirety of this season with an “undisclosed injury,” the Fort Worth Star Telegram reported on Friday.

According to 247Sports, redshirt freshman Terrell Cooper has taken Blacklock’s place so far in practice. He reportedly has had multiple “good practices,” and has been mentioned several times by coach Gary Patterson this offseason as a player who has impressed, too.

The Horned Frogs open up their season on September 1 against Southern.

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