Texas Tech could get Trey White and Terrance Carter Jr. back for Friday’s Big 12 opener against Houston, while Brenden Jordan is set to return.
No. 13 Texas Tech may be getting healthier at exactly the right time.
The Red Raiders host No. 22 Houston on Friday night in their Big 12 opener, and head coach Joey McGuire delivered encouraging updates on two important players who have been sidelined early this season: Trey White and Terrance Carter Jr.
McGuire said the outlook for both players is “optimistic” heading into the matchup at Galaxy Stadium. Safety Brenden Jordan has already been cleared to return and is expected back in the lineup after missing the first two games.
White’s return would be a major boost for a Texas Tech defense that gave up 417 passing yards last week at Oregon State.
The San Diego State transfer has yet to play this season because of a knee injury, but his résumé explains why the Red Raiders have been waiting on him.
White has recorded 19.5 career sacks, 129 tackles and 31 tackles for loss in 40 games. He had 12.5 sacks in 2024 and seven more in 2025, establishing himself as one of the most productive edge rushers in the Mountain West before transferring to Texas Tech.
Houston’s passing game gives that potential return even more importance. Cougars receiver Amare Thomas has 11 catches for 162 yards and two touchdowns through two games, and McGuire made it clear Texas Tech knows where the danger is.
“Zero is a dude,” McGuire said of Thomas. “We’ve got to know where he is.”
Carter could provide a similar lift on offense.
The veteran tight end missed the Oregon State game with a sprained foot after catching three passes for 28 yards in the opener against Abilene Christian. Carter was one of Texas Tech’s most productive pass-catchers last season, finishing with 51 receptions for 532 yards and three touchdowns.
Texas Tech will still be without several players. Cornerback Amier Boyd, offensive lineman Elias Gillen and cornerback Ashton Hampton have been ruled out.
Even so, getting Jordan back - and possibly White and Carter - would give the Red Raiders a significant personnel boost before their toughest game of the young season.
Houston is 2-0 and enters Lubbock with one of the nation’s most productive rushing attacks and an experienced head coach in Willie Fritz. Texas Tech is also 2-0, but Friday night should reveal much more about whether McGuire’s team is ready to defend its Big 12 title.
For the Red Raiders, better health could make a major difference.
