Kansas football: Jalon Daniels suffered setback last week amid ongoing injury saga

Lance Leipold’s latest comments aren’t a good sign for the status of Kansas football signal caller Jalon Daniels.

The Kansas Jayhawks have been waiting on the return of Jalon Daniels since he was a game-time scratch against Texas in September due to a back injury. Jason Bean has served as the starter ever since, but he might have that role for the remainder of 2023.

Lance Leipold partook in his weekly media day, which takes place on the first Kansas football practice each week. When asked where Jalon Daniels was health-wise, the head coach didn’t have many positive things to say.

“No, it’s still the same. He was out watching practice today. I think I’ve said, there are good days and there are not-so-good days,” Leipold stated. “Last week wasn’t a great week. You left in between there though, that he went through warm-ups and dressed for Oklahoma.”

“So, it’s kind of where it’s at,” he continued. “Don’t read anything more into the good days, bad days. Today, he was in my office at 6:30 in the morning, the first guy in there for a meeting. There are days that feel really good and there are days I’m disappointed like he is. So that’s the best way to leave it.”

These comments do not suggest he has a positive outlook on the injury. If anything, Leipold has seemed more discouraged by Daniels’ progress as the season has passed. He had previously been telling the media that he was looking better every week, but it seems he suffered yet another setback. His status for the Texas Tech game this Saturday remains in the ‘doubtful’ range.

Daniels suited up for the upset win over Oklahoma and was apparently available to play if needed. However, he did not take a snap despite massive struggles from Jason Bean in a close game in the fourth quarter. And in his postgame presser, after the Jayhawks defeated Iowa State 28-21 on Saturday, Leipold revealed why Daniels was absent from the sidelines.

“We made a decision that, he didn’t practice during the week, and it’s best that we just give him a chance to rest,” he commented. “And obviously, this is a bus trip for us and all those things and where he’s at. Through the advice of our medical people that it’s in the best interest of him. But again, he stays positive and we’re awfully optimistic about that. So I can answer the question. He’s not redshirting and everything else that may be out there.”

The lack of transparency with Jalon Daniels’ injury has been frustrating for Kansas football fans, but some individuals have accepted Jason Bean as the new starter. Regardless of which player you prefer under center, though, the chances of seeing Daniels compete in another game this year seem improbable.