Lance Leipold provides injury update on quarterback Jalon Daniels ahead of Oklahoma

Kansas head coach Lance Leipold provided an injury update on quarterback Jalon Daniels Monday as the team prepares for their next game Oklahoma this upcoming Saturday.

Daniels missed the Jayhawks’ season opener and their last three games with a back injury, and according to Kansas reporter Matt Tait, Leipold said that Daniels is progressing and remains optimistic about a potential return.

Leipold also said that Daniels will be doubtful or questionable for the team’s upcoming matchup with the Sooners, adding that he has been doing more at practice as well.

Lance Leipold says today that #KUfball QB Jalon Daniels is still progressing & he remains optimistic about a return. But he also puts it as doubtful/questionable for this week vs. OU.

Asked if JD6 has been doing more in practice, Leipold said simply, “Yes.”

— Matt Tait (@mctait) October 23, 2023

Daniels was named the Big 12 Preseason Offensive Player of the Year heading into the season, but has not been available for the Jayhawks nearly as much as voters imagined this year.

In his three game appearances this season Daniels was able to lead Kansas to three wins, completing an efficient 74.7% of his passes for 705 yards and five touchdown passes. But unfortunately without him under center, the Jayhawks are 2-2 when he hasn’t been in the lineup.

He had a breakout season last year for Kansas throwing for 2,014 yards and rushing for 419 yards with 25 total touchdowns. But even his impressive season last year came with some injury struggles, as he suffered a shoulder injury in Week 6 that put an end to the team’s historic and memorable 5-0 start.

Daniels returned for the final three games of the season last year, and Jayhawks fans are hoping that he can eventually return for them this season. But just like last season, this year North Texas transfer Jason Bean has been starting in Daniels’ absence.

Bean led the Jayhawks to a Week 1 win over Missouri State where he threw for 276 yards and two touchdown passes, but in Big 12 Conference play this season he hasn’t had as much good fortune.

Kansas has been 1-2 versus conference opponents this season with Bean as their starter, most recently suffering a tough loss in a shootout versus Oklahoma State. In that matchup, Bean threw for a season-high 410 yards and five touchdowns, but interceptions on back-to-back drives in the second half followed by two drives ending in failed fourth down attempts resulted in a 39-32 loss for the Jayhawks on the road.

Bean had to play in Daniels’ absence last season versus Oklahoma, and it seems like he will have to again this year unless Kansas’ star quarterback progresses quickly this week.