Kansas Quarterback Jalon Daniels Likely to Miss Oklahoma State Game Due to Back Issue

Kansas quarterback Jalon Daniels is facing uncertainty regarding his participation in the upcoming game against Oklahoma State due to a persistent back problem. Sources informed ESPN that he missed practice on both Monday and Tuesday, making it likely that he will be absent for his third consecutive game. Daniels, who was named the preseason All-Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year, was unexpectedly sidelined just before Kansas’ game against Texas two weeks ago, and he did not play in their recent matchup against UCF.

The No. 23 ranked Kansas team currently holds a 5-1 overall record, with a 2-1 standing in Big 12 play. Their only defeat this season came at the hands of Texas. Daniels has been contending with ongoing tightness in his back, a condition that had previously kept him from participating in Kansas’ opener against Missouri State.

In the absence of Jalon Daniels, the veteran backup quarterback, Jason Bean, is expected to once again take the helm for Kansas. This would mark his 24th career start. Bean commenced his collegiate career at North Texas in 2018, where he started seven games, before transferring to Kansas in 2021. In their recent victory over UCF, Bean played a pivotal role, completing 8 of 12 passes for 91 yards and securing one touchdown. Notably, Kansas dominated the game on the ground, with three tailbacks each amassing more than 90 rushing yards.

Jalon Daniels had risen to prominence last year during Kansas’ impressive 5-0 start, establishing himself as one of the nation’s most dynamic dual-threat quarterbacks. He even garnered consideration as a Heisman Trophy candidate before sustaining an injury in a loss to TCU. This season, Daniels has maintained a remarkable completion rate of 74.7%, throwing for five touchdowns and just one interception. Under his leadership, Kansas secured a 3-0 record in the games he started, including a dominant performance against Illinois on September 8, where he completed 21-of-29 passes for 277 yards.

Daniels’ most recent appearance was in a victory against BYU on September 23, where he threw three touchdowns and rushed for 54 yards. Following the Oklahoma State game, Kansas has a bye week before hosting the No. 5 ranked Oklahoma team on October 28.