Kansas quarterback Jalon Daniels does not travel with team to Ames

Kansas has had some success on the field in 2023 but for the most part, it has been without starting quarterback Jalon Daniels. He has not played for quite a few weeks, letting Jason Bean roll with the first team through Big 12 play.

There is a new wrinkle to this story though, with Daniels not traveling to Ames on Saturday. According to reports, his staying back home has nothing to do with his injury status, either positive or negative. It was a team decision to not bring Daniels to the game against Iowa State.

“Jalon Daniels did not travel with the team to Ames,” Shreyas Laddha of the KC Star said via X. “Nothing has changed with his status. #KUfball“

Daniels has not played since Kansas’ Sept. 23 win against BYU. The mystery surrounding his status really began right before the loss to Texas, where he was ruled out just before kickoff. Bean was inserted into the starting quarterback role and has not looked back.

Kansas head coach Lance Leipold has continually spoken about the health of Daniels on a weekly basis. Rumors have been flying about his taking a redshirt year and potentially finishing out his college football career elsewhere. With the quarterback not traveling with the team on Saturday, the fire is only going to be stoked.

Kansas hoping good play continues with Jason Bean

If you were told Kansas was 6-2 with Daniels only playing in three games this season, there may have been some doubt in your brain. But with what Leipold has down with the program, they have found a way to win without their star quarterback. In fact, Bean has stepped up in big moments when called upon.

Last Saturday’s win against Oklahoma was a historic one for the program. Bean played a huge role in the fourth quarter and eventually got the Jayhawks the win. While it has not been completely smooth sailing, it’s definitely not something Kansas will complain about.

Taking down Iowa State will be a critical one, hoping to stay alive in the race for the Big 12 Championship. Bean will have a big test going on the road against a team playing really well, especially on the defensive end.

Escaping Ames with a win would guarantee Kansas would finish with a winning record for the first time since 2008. It would be just the latest major accomplishment under Leipold’s watch.