Kansas QB Jalon Daniels re-aggravated back injury amid pregame absence

Kansas quarterback Jalon Daniels did not participate during the scrimmage portion of pregame warmups, according to Henry Greenstein of the Lawrence Journal-World. ESPN’s Molly McGrath reported on the ABC broadcast Daniels re-aggravated a back injury.

“This Kansas team and coaching staff was shocked to learn that their quarterback — Jalon Daniels — re-aggravated a pre-existing back injury just this morning,” McGrath said on the broadcast. “He was expected to start. He practiced all week. He came out during their initial warm-up period but he’s been back in the locker room seeking treatment for back tightness ever since.

“Head coach Lance Leipold told me they’re doing everything they can to get him ready to play and to make sure he’s available, but I was told just a minute ago that he was still not in pads in the locker room area. So it looks like their starter is going to be Jason Bean today.”

With Kansas on the road against Texas, losing Daniels is certainly not ideal for the Jayhawks. Heck, head coach Lance Leipold said Daniels could get a statue one day.

Daniels was solid in three games so far this season.

He has 705 yards, five touchdowns, one interception and a 74.7% completion percentage. He also has 74 yards on the ground.

As a member of the Class of 2020, Daniels was a three-star recruit out of Lawndale (Calif.) High, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He was the No. 188 overall prospect in the state, the No. 118 quarterback in the class and the No. 2,157 overall prospect in the class.

“Jalon’s very happy here. He’s established himself. He has a chance to leave a mark as being one of our best ever to play here. I told him, there’s two statues outside our building: John Hadl and Gale Sayers,” Leipold said, before saying that Daniels could earn himself a statue if he stays with the program.