Kansas will head into Saturday’s Big 12 opener in London with uncertainty behind center, as backup quarterback Cole Ballard is listed as doubtful for the matchup against Arizona State.
Ballard’s status appeared in the Big 12 player availability report released before conference games on the league’s official website. The redshirt junior from Westfield, Indiana, was on the sideline in the fourth quarter of Friday’s 38-21 loss to Missouri with his right arm in a sling after suffering an undisclosed injury.
He seemed to injure his shoulder on a hit while delivering a six-yard completion to quarterback Isaiah Marshall on a trick play in the third quarter against Missouri.
Coach Lance Leipold was cautious earlier this week, saying Monday: “Hopefully he’ll be available, but I can’t say that at this time.”
Kansas also had several other players listed on Wednesday night’s report. Wide receiver Cam Pickett, linebacker Bam Crouch and tight end Carson Bruhn were all tagged as questionable.
Crouch is dealing with an upper body injury and did not play against Missouri. Pickett has been sidelined with what has been described as a leg injury, though he did catch two passes against Missouri and was on the field for four snaps. Bruhn is working through an undisclosed injury and exited the Missouri game early.
The Jayhawks’ out list for the 11 a.m. Central kickoff in England includes quarterback Jaylen Mason, running backs Kory Amachree and Justin Thurman, and defensive linemen Grady Seyfert and Tre’von McAlpine.
Marshall, the starting quarterback, has been practicing this week after revealing he played much of the Missouri game with a sore arm. He said he was hit on the arm on KU’s first snap from scrimmage.
Leipold said Wednesday in London that third-team quarterback Chase Jenkins has also been working with the offense and is definitely available. Jenkins transferred from Rice and missed time with undisclosed injuries in the spring and summer, but he has been healthy through the first two games of the season.
“We feel confident that if called upon, that he can run our offense and lead our team,” Leipold said Wednesday.
Jenkins ran the option at Rice, where he rushed for 531 yards and five touchdowns last season. He also threw for 1,025 yards with nine touchdowns and two interceptions.
Against Missouri, Marshall completed 13 of 30 passes for 168 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions. He also ran for 23 yards on 20 carries and lost a fumble.
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