There are silver linings to having players too banged up to participate in spring practice.
It gives younger or less experienced players a chance to learn, and in some cases, climb the depth chart. If they impress enough, they might even eclipse the penciled in starter by the time the season rolls around.
The TCU defense, for instance, was still missing more than 10 players because of various stages of injury during the fifth spring practice Thursday afternoon, the team's first with full pads.
More Videos
51
TCU guard Desmond Bane expects to keep hot hand in NCAA tournament
64
TCU coach Jim Schlossnagle wins 700th career game
33
Take a look at the two top TCU quarterbacks at spring practice
93
TCU coach Jamie Dixon talks raising the bar
185
Former TCU QB Casey Pachall talks life after football
22
TCU's David Patrick shares his prime Australia recruiting hook
57
TCU's Patterson: Don't underestimate Frogs' receivers in 2017
82
TCU Horned Frogs 2017 football schedule
111
Sights and Sounds From TCU Football Practice
93
Soccer is king at Diamond Hill-Jarvis
Former TCU walk-on Phil Taylor and Bram Kohlhausen narrate Taylor's only career catch
Four-year walk-on Phil Taylor played in five games, and dressed for over two dozen, but only had the chance to catch one reception during his time as a Horned Frog.