Since Week 5, Kansas QB and NFL Draft prospect Jalon Daniels has been out with a back injury. What’s the latest on the Jayhawks star’s status, and could he return in Week 7 against Big 12 foe Oklahoma State?
Jalon Daniels Injury Update: Latest on Kansas QB’s Status
Daniels is “doubtful” to play in Week 7 against the Cowboys, according to Pete Thamel, ESPN’s senior college football writer. Thamel also stated that Daniels’ back issues prevented him from participating in practice on both Monday and Tuesday.
Daniels missed the first game of the season against Missouri State with a back injury. And ahead of the team’s clash with the Texas Longhorns in Week 5, he tweaked his back injury again.
Daniels has since missed two contests — the loss to Texas and a 51-22 victory against UCF. Veteran backup Jason Bean has played reasonably well in Daniels’ stead, but the Jayhawks nonetheless desire to see their star signal-caller back in action.
After the Oklahoma State game, Kansas has a bye week before playing the fifth-ranked, undefeated Oklahoma Sooners in Week 9. If Daniels sits against Oklahoma State, he’ll have more time to heal. Thus, there’s a chance he could be back with that pivotal matchup.
Daniels a Legitimate 2024 NFL Draft Prospect, but Injuries a Concern
Now in his fourth year, Daniels is one of the more intriguing sleepers in the 2024 NFL Draft quarterback class.
The 6’0″, 220-pound product of Lawndale, California, broke out with an absurdly efficient 2022 campaign, completing 66.1% of his passes for 2,014 yards, 18 touchdowns, and just four interceptions while also tacking on 425 rushing yards and seven ground TDs.
In his three-game 2023 sample, Daniels was just as efficient, but injuries are becoming a larger concern for him. This nagging back injury has rendered him unavailable for multiple stretches this year, and in 2022, he missed four games with a shoulder injury as well.
As a prospect, Daniels brings plenty to like. He’s a plus athlete and creator with great arm talent and elasticity, and he’s also flashed the ability to displace second-level defenders with his eyes and anticipate windows.
Nevertheless, in the past, injuries have played a role in diluting the round value of some prospects, and in a tightly-contested 2024 NFL Draft QB class, Daniels runs the risk of falling down the board if his durability comes under question.
Daniels is a redshirt junior, and he has a year of eligibility remaining if he wishes to return in 2024. Of course, this might become null if Daniels returns against Oklahoma and stays healthy. He has the natural talent to become a factor in this draft class again.
