Running back Aaron Green is the starter for TCU going forward until Waymon James and B.J. Catalon return, head coach Gary Patterson said Sunday.

“Right now, [Green’s] the starter,” Patterson said. “I don’t know if Catalon [will be back this week]. James for sure won’t possibly be back this week, and I don’t know if Catalon will be either.”

James is currently suspended for a violation of team rules. He did not travel with the team to Ames, Iowa for the game Saturday. Catalon was injured against West Virginia, Patterson said, and also did not play against the Cyclones.

Green carried the ball 19 times for 72 yards in the Horned Frogs’ victory on Saturday, including a 22-yard run on fourth down on TCU’s game-winning drive. Patterson said the sophomore’s performance was “awesome.”

“[He] didn’t fumble the football. A couple of those runs on that final drive were awesome by Aaron,” he said. “Great cuts.”

Green transferred to TCU after playing his freshman season at Nebraska but was required to sit out the 2012 season due to NCAA transfer rules. He was a five-star recruit coming out of Madison High School in San Antonio in 2011.

Green has been the third running back behind Catalon and James for the majority of 2013. With those two out, the coach said the tailback is taking advantage of his opportunity to try and become the number one back.

“You wait for your time, and when you get your time, then you seize your opportunity,” he said. “That’s what every running back that’s ever been here [has done]…Most of them started as the third team running back and they became that guy.”

Other lineup questions:

Cornerback Jason Verrett and safety Elisha Olabode are both currently game-time decisions for Saturday’s game against Kansas State.

Verrett was held out Saturday because of a shoulder injury. Wide receiver Deante’ Gray, who played cornerback in 2012, started in his place. Derrick Kindred started for Olabode. Patterson said he does not know if either Olabode or Verrett will practice this week.

Wide receiver Brandon Carter’s status for the KSU game is unknown. Carter played Saturday after missing the West Virginia game due to a family situation, but his status is still “week-to-week,” Patterson said. The junior caught six passes for 93 yards against the Cyclones.