Kansas football: Lance Leipold ‘very optimistic’ Jason Bean plays against KSU

As the Kansas Jayhawks prepare to take on the K-State Wildcats this Saturday in Lawrence, the team received some potentially big news regarding one of their top players ahead of the annual Sunflower Showdown.

Kansas head coach Lance Leipold shared an encouraging update on quarterback Jason Bean – who suffered a head injury in the loss to Texas Tech on Saturday – during his Monday press conference.

Leipold stated that although Bean did not practice on Sunday, he is “very optimistic that he’ll be playing on Saturday.”

Leipold wouldn’t divulge the nature or severity of the injury, but if Bean is able to rejoin the team, that would obviously be huge for the Jayhawks’ chances against their in-state rival.

Prior to Texas Tech, Bean had an impressive showing in Ames as the Jayhawks beat the Iowa State Cyclones. He completed 14 of 23 passes for 287 yards and one touchdown.

On the season, Bean has thrown for 1,431 yards and 10 touchdowns and led the Jayhawks to back-to-back seasons of bowl eligibility as he has filled in admirably for quarterback Jalon Daniels these past two months.

The Jayhawks will need Bean if they have any hope of beating K-State this weekend.

The now-unranked Jayhawks face the No. 23-ranked Wildcats in what is a crucial game for K-State if they hope to maintain their Big 12 title game chances. Meanwhile, the Jayhawks – who are all but out of the Big 12 championship race – have the opportunity to earn a higher-profile bowl game selection with a win.

With Bean starting, the Jayhawks also have a greater chance of ending the dreadful 14-year losing streak to the Wildcats – something that has been long overdue during the past decade of KU’s struggles.

Saturday also marks the last home game of the year for the Jayhawks and many KU seniors – including Bean. It would be a shame if he didn’t get to end his home playing career with at least the opportunity to go out and win a big game like this for his team and fanbase.

If Bean can continue to make progress and suit up for the Jayhawks on Saturday, it would be a big boost to their chances of ending the losing streak and sending him and his fellow seniors out on a high note in their last home game in a KU uniform.