The Kansas defense still faces injury concerns, but its most crucial player is expected to be ready for Saturday night’s Sunflower Showdown.
Middle linebacker Cornell Wheeler practiced on Monday and is anticipated to be “fully available” to play in Manhattan, according to head coach Lance Leipold.
Wheeler, the Jayhawks’ sole defensive captain and play-caller, returned to the field in a rotational role during Saturday’s victory over Houston. He had to leave the game against West Virginia on September 21 due to a leg injury and missed subsequent matchups against TCU and Arizona State, which led veteran reserve Taiwan Berryhill Jr. to step in as the starting middle linebacker.
On Saturday, Berryhill played 51 snaps, while Wheeler took 25 (with some overlap), according to Pro Football Focus. Despite limited snaps, Wheeler recorded four tackles, bringing his season total to 28, and intercepted a pass in the fourth quarter that defensive end Dean Miller tipped at the line. Leipold mentioned that while Wheeler needed to shake off some rust and wasn’t at 100%, he was close and fully cleared to play.
Now, Wheeler, who wore a large brace on his right knee during the game against Houston, appears to be moving past his injury.
“Right now, during these early days back on the field, we often take it a bit easy and just do some walkthroughs,” Leipold noted. “But he was out moving around today, and so far, I haven’t received any negative reports.”
The return of the redshirt senior is a positive sign for KU, which has had a strong defensive start to the year hampered by injuries. Wheeler’s role at linebacker will be especially crucial against Kansas State, which has two talented running backs, DJ Giddens and Dylan Edwards, and frequently passes to its tight ends.
However, Leipold’s update on Monday regarding other injuries wasn’t as encouraging. Redshirt freshman Taylor Davis, along with lesser-used redshirt sophomore Kaleb Purdy, has had to step up significantly due to several absences in the safety position. Mason Ellis, who has been sidelined since the West Virginia game, participated slightly in Monday’s practice, but brothers Jalen and Devin Dye are still out, according to Leipold.
“I’m not counting on any of those guys right now,” he summarized.
Leipold felt that Davis “managed the situation” well on Saturday, where he recorded four tackles as a starting safety, adding that his main goal moving forward is to focus his energy effectively.
“He has the potential to contribute to this program for years to come,” Leipold said. “During the secondary meeting today, I believe he made important progress.”
On the bright side, the Jayhawks’ offense has largely avoided major health issues this season, though Daniel Hishaw Jr.’s availability for Saturday remains uncertain.
Hishaw had only two carries, the fewest he’s recorded in a game since September 26, 2020, as he missed significant time in the Houston game due to an injury. Leipold mentioned that Hishaw had “reaggravated” a prior issue that had troubled him earlier in the season, and he had already missed a game against UNLV. Leipold described his status for K-State as “very questionable.”
The Jayhawks’ running game will face close scrutiny on Saturday, as Devin Neal pursues KU’s all-time rushing record against a nationally ranked top-five run defense
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