yahoo
BOULDER, Colo. — Thomas Castellanos, the backup quarterback for Texas Tech, will be with the team for Saturday's football game at Colorado but will not play, according to an athletics department spokesman. Castellanos will be dressed in street clothes at Folsom Field.
The quarterback's participation had been blocked by a court order. He had played in the first four games of the season under a court ruling that permitted college freshmen from the class of 2022 to receive a fifth year of eligibility. That ruling conflicted with the NCAA's new age-based eligibility model, commonly known as "5 for 5."
Under the NCAA's model, Castellanos' eligibility expired after last season because he had played four years without redshirting. On Friday, a court in Kentucky dissolved a temporary restraining order that had allowed Castellanos and other players involved in the lawsuit to continue playing.
The Red Raiders learned of the new court order while traveling to Colorado the day before the game. A Texas Tech spokesman confirmed on Friday that Castellanos will not play against the Buffaloes.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding Castellanos, the team appears relatively healthy. Starting tight end Terrance Carter Jr. was seen on the field in team workout attire during early pre-game warmups. Carter had been listed as probable in the Big 12-mandated Friday availability update.
Texas Tech also expects to have several key special-teams players back who have missed multiple games in the first month of the season. Defensive backs Amier Boyd, Mikal Harrison-Pilot, and Oliver Miles III have all sat out the past two games, but none appeared on the Friday availability report. However, backup cornerback Ashton Hampton, a crucial special-teams contributor last year, has yet to play this season and is again listed as out. Backup linebacker Adam Hill will also miss his second consecutive game.
Key Analysis
The dissolution of the restraining order leaves Texas Tech without a key backup quarterback, but the return of several special-teams players could provide a boost. The team's overall health is a positive sign as they head into a conference matchup. Castellanos' presence on the sideline, though in street clothes, may still offer intangible support to his teammates.
Originally reported by yahoo.