Coming off of a 9-4 season with a Guaranteed Rate Bowl victory, the Kansas football team is riding high heading into the 2024 season. However, the Jayhawks are dealing with numerous injuries and will miss some key contributors for the remainder of spring practices.
According to a report from Lawrence Journal-World, WR Lawrence Arnold, OT Calvin Clements, and DE Jereme Robinson are the three KU starters who won't participate in the annual Spring Showcase on Apr. 12. Lance Leipold's group is not as healthy as he would have wanted it to be, but others will receive additional opportunities as a result.
Robinson has been unavailable for an extended period of time due to a "cleanup surgery" he underwent following the season's conclusion. The 6-foot-3 defensive lineman is a significant loss in spring practice for the Jayhawks. He is projected to be the top edge rusher on KU's depth chart next season after recording 7.5 sacks and 14.5 tackles for loss over the past two years.
Leipold did not disclose the injuries Clements or Arnold were dealing with, but Kansas' top wideout was seen in a walking boot this week with a foot ailment. Arnold led the team with 782 receiving yards in 2023 while adding 44 receptions and six touchdowns. He caught six balls for 132 yards and three scores in the Jayhawks' bowl win.
Meanwhile, Bleacher Report's Bryson Stricker reported that Clements had lower leg surgery that was expected to sideline him for quite some time. However, he later expressed optimism that the redshirt freshman and presumed replacement for Dominick Puni would return by the end of summer or fall camp.
Just got off the phone with someone who is optimistic Clements will be able to return by end of summer/fall camp https://t.co/TcSnB58Cjf
— Bryson Stricker (@BryBryStrick) April 1, 2024
While the Jayhawks are slightly banged up right now, so are most of the other teams around the country. One positive note is that star QB Jalon Daniels is reportedly working with the first team and taking reps. There is plenty of time for Kansas to heal up as the team awaits the Aug. 29 season opener against Lindenwood.