Kansas football is still waiting on two of its biggest injury answers ahead of Friday’s home game against Missouri.
The uncertainty centers on redshirt senior linebacker Bam Crouch and redshirt wide receiver Cam Pickett, both of whom could have a major say in how the Jayhawks look against the Tigers. Crouch went down with an upper-body, shoulder-area injury in the season opener against LIU, while Pickett sat out that game entirely despite being one of KU’s most dangerous options when healthy.
On Monday, head coach Lance Leipold said there still wasn’t a firm update on either player.
“Bam did not practice today,” Leipold said. “Cam was out there, still has a ways to go.
So, I really don’t have a status yet on them. But trying to be hopeful on both.”
For Kansas, the linebacker situation could force some reshuffling if Crouch can’t go alongside redshirt senior Trey Lathan. Defensive coordinator D.K.
McDonald named redshirt junior Quincy Davis, redshirt freshman Malachi Curvey, redshirt senior Jaron Willis and redshirt senior Jibreel Al-Amin as the next men up if needed. McDonald said that’s exactly why teams invest in depth: the season is long, and injuries happen.
Pickett’s situation carries a different kind of weight for the offense. Kansas associate head coach Andy Kotelnicki said having him on the field Friday would add an explosive piece and another leader to the mix.
Kotelnicki also said he knows how much goes into getting ready to play, which made it tough to see Pickett go through the work and then not suit up against LIU. That’s why seeing him out there Monday stood out.
Kansas had its chances to beat Missouri on the road last season, and now it gets another shot. The Jayhawks have talent at linebacker and receiver either way, but getting both Crouch and Pickett back would give them a much better chance to make the most of it.
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