Pete Thamel: Kansas QB Jalon Daniels considered 'doubtful' vs. Oklahoma State
Kansas fans will have to wait a bit longer to see their beloved quarterback return to action. On Tuesday, ESPN’s Pete Thamel provided an update on Jayhawks QB1 Jalon Daniels.
“Kansas quarterback Jalon Daniels is considered “doubtful” for the game at Oklahoma State this week,” Thamel wrote on Twitter. “He’s been dealing with back issues that kept him out of practice on Monday and Tuesday. Veteran back-up Jason Bean is expected to start again.”
Daniels has missed Kansas’ last two games due to back issues. In three appearances this season, Daniels has amassed 705 passing yards and five touchdowns while throwing only one interception. The Jayhawks are 3-0 with Daniels starting behind center.
This isn’t the first time this season Daniels has dealt with his back injury. The 2023 Preseason Big 12 Player of the Year also missed Kansas’ season opener against Missouri State. With Daniels down, Bean is expected to start again for the Jayhawks.
In his two latest starts, Bean has tallied 227 passing yards and two touchdowns while connecting on 51.5% of his pass attempts. Kansas will square off against Oklahoma State on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. ET. The game will be broadcast on FS1.
Mike Gundy assesses Kansas QB situation
Kansas isn’t the only getting a headache from its QB issues. Oklahoma State head coach Mike Gundy addressed Kansas’ quarterback quandary during his press conference on Monday. He said that both players are a challenge but that, at the moment, the Cowboys are going to have to put more of their attention on Bean since Daniels hasn’t played in the last two games.
“We have to prepare for Bean. We have to prepare for him,” Gundy said. “I don’t know what’s going on with Jalon Daniels but he has not been out there in a couple weeks.”
“I don’t know that they change a lot when he’s in there. They’re going to do the same stuff, in my opinion,” Gundy said. “Now, he might bring a few things to the table differently. But we have to prepare for the guy that has been out there the last three weeks or whatever.”
The ‘Pokes are going to have to be ready for anything with the Top-25 offense of No. 23 Kansas coming to town. Still, based on what he knows, Gundy is prepping more for Bean and will sort their game plan out later if Daniels is indeed available for the Jayhawks.
On3’s Sam Gillenwater also contributed to this article.