The Kansas Jayhawks could be dealing with two notable injury questions when they line up against Missouri on Friday night in the 2026 Border War.
The biggest concern on defense is starting linebacker Bam Crouch, who is doubtful after an apparent shoulder injury suffered in the first quarter against Long Island last week, according to ESPN insider Pete Thamel late Wednesday night. Crouch finished that game with two solo tackles and a sack before leaving.
Crouch came to Kansas this offseason as one of the more important additions from the transfer portal. The redshirt-senior spent four years at Boston College, where he put up 107 total tackles, three sacks and one interception. He earned plenty of trust from the KU staff during fall camp and opened the year as a starter on the Week 1 depth chart next to team captain Trey Lathan.
The offense has its own injury situation to monitor with wide receiver Cam Pickett, who may miss a second straight game to open the season. Thamel reported that Pickett is still dealing with a leg injury from fall camp and will be a game-time decision against Missouri.
That would be a tough break for Kansas, because Pickett is the most experienced receiver on the roster and the only returner from the 2025 team with significant playing time. Last season, he played in all 12 games, led the Jayhawks with 45 catches, and finished with 476 receiving yards and three touchdowns.
Pickett was quiet in last year’s game against Missouri in Columbia, finishing with two catches for 18 yards. Still, he’s expected to be a major target for Isaiah Marshall this season and, once healthy, should pair well with Buffalo transfer Nik McMillan, who graded as KU’s top performer against LIU last week per Pro Football Focus.
Kansas would welcome Pickett back in a hurry, especially with the Jayhawks listed as underdogs for Friday’s matchup. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. CT on FOX.
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Kansas Offense Is Bringing New Pressure To The Border Showdown
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Missouri coach Eli Drinkwitz gave Kotelnicki a notable public nod this week, praising the way he organizes an offense and builds its scheme. For Kansas, that kind of respect from the other sideline only adds to the intrigue around what the Jayhawks are bringing into the border showdown, especially with a play caller whose approach has clearly earned attention well beyond Lawrence. [Read more 🡒]
Kansas Still Doesn't Know If Melvin Council Will Suit Up
Melvin Council Jr.s push to get on the floor at Kansas took another step in court this week, but it still leaves the Jayhawks waiting on clarity. Judge Daniel J. Doyle signed an order to show cause requiring the NCAA to explain why Council should not receive an injunction that would make him eligible to play college basketball, a significant development for a player hoping to gain a sixth season based on the years he spent in junior college.
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Kansas Is Tied To A Big Man Decision Still Waiting On NCAA
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Ogbole has drawn interest from several programs, including Georgia, Oklahoma, Tennessee and UNLV, if he becomes available. For now, though, nobody is making a hard commitment on a roster spot or scholarship while the NCAA sits on the matter, leaving the Jayhawks and everyone else waiting for a ruling that still has not come. [Read more 🡒]