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Is Jalon Daniels playing today? Latest injury updates for Illinois vs. Kansas football

By Joshua Schulman

LAWRENCE, KANSAS - SEPTEMBER 1: Jalon Daniels (L) #6 of the Kansas Jayhawks huddles with teammates against the Missouri State Bears at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium on September 1, 2023 in Lawrence, Kansas. (Photo by Ed Zurga/Getty Images)
LAWRENCE, KANSAS - SEPTEMBER 1: Jalon Daniels (L) #6 of the Kansas Jayhawks huddles with teammates against the Missouri State Bears at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium on September 1, 2023 in Lawrence, Kansas. (Photo by Ed Zurga/Getty Images) /
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Jalon Daniels missed the Week 1 Kansas football matchup with back tightness. Find out if the star Jayhawk quarterback will play, as well as other injury updates.

It is only Week 2, but Illinois Fighting Illini and Kansas Jayhawks players are battling through some ailments after both teams began the year 1-0.

Despite their undefeated records, neither school looked too impressive last time out. Kansas football once trailed in the first half against FCS opponent Missouri State, and Illinois football salvaged what would have been a massive upset vs. Toledo with a last-second field goal.

This Friday night showdown should be one of the most competitive college football games on television this week. But which players could miss tonight’s contest? Let’s take a look at each team’s injury report.

Kansas Jayhawks Football Injury Report

  • QB Jalon Daniels (back)
  • WR Tanaka Scott (hamstring)
  • LB Taiwan Berryhill (lower body)
  • WR Luke Grimm (undisclosed)
  • CB Jameel Croft (undisclosed)

Luke Grimm left the game in the second quarter in game one and never returned to the field after scoring a touchdown. He is the Jayhawks top slot receiver and led the team in catches in 2022. Thankfully, all signs point to him being good to go against Illinois.

Tanaka Scott’s hamstring injury has lingered for quite some time. Even if he doesn’t play, Kansas football still has plenty of viable wideout options in Lawrence Arnold, Grimm, Quentin Skinner, and Trevor Wilson.

Berryhill is not listed on the official team injury report, but he had a lower body concern throughout fall camp. It seems to have carried over to the playing field, as he was visibly limping much of last Friday’s game. Kansas’ No. 3 linebacker is considered a game-time decision.

Is Jalon Daniels Playing Today For Kansas Football?

Daniels’ participation during fall camp was limited due to back spasms. The injury has lasted for weeks and eventually forced him to miss the season-opener last week. However, credible sources such as Brett McMurphy and ESPN have confirmed that he is expected to play tonight.

A strong junior season put Daniels on the national radar. He threw for 2,014 yards and 18 touchdowns, albeit in an injury-plagued campaign. Big 12 coaches voted him the league’s preseason player of the year, so his expectations are as lofty as ever.

While it could just be a ploy to have Illinois prepare for the wrong quarterback — Daniels was also listed as the starter against Missouri State — it looks like the Jayhawks signal caller is in a good position to make his 2023 debut.

Next. 5 predictions for the Kansas vs. Illinois football clash. dark

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