As Kansas State attempts to revive its conference championship aspirations this season, it’s hoping to get a central piece of the offense back. Junior running back Dylan Edwards, who was projected to break out this season, has been sidelined with an ankle injury since Week 0. K-State coach Chris Klieman provided some positive news about Edwards’ injury Wednesday morning.
“He's getting better and better,” Klieman said to Kansas State radio guru Wyatt Thompson. “I can't tell you his status for this week yet. We still have a little bit of time, but we're making really good progress.”
While Edwards hasn’t been declared out for this week, signs are pointing to him being doubtful to suit up against Army.
“Dylan's such an explosive player,” Johnson said after the Wildcats’ season-opening Iowa State loss. “We had a bunch of stuff game planned for him, so when he goes out, you just kinda have that ‘next man up mentality.’”
Edwards accumulated 576 rushing yards and five touchdowns last season, as well as 19 receptions for 133 yards and one touchdown. He was anticipated to help take the offense to new heights, continuing the strong K-State rushing unit. DeVon Rice and Joe Jackson have been solid, but the Wildcats rank No. 14 in rushing offense among Big 12 teams. Getting him back would open up the playbook, possibly getting quarterback Avery Johnson back in the run game as well.
K-STATE’S CHRIS KLIEMAN SOUNDS OFF ON EARLY SEASON ROSTER SHIFTS
As Kansas State navigates its difficult season start, coach Chris Klieman has expressed some disappointment with the team performances.
It’s even more frustrating considering the injuries that have derailed the original game plan.
"It's not as easy as people think it is," Klieman said in his Monday afternoon presser. "'Just plug and play, you're at K-State, you're just gonna do it because that's the K-State way.' Well if they didn't start at K-State, they haven't learned the K-State way."
Klieman says the team has to utilize its current assets, considering the program can’t just reach out and swap players at any given moment.
“College football is a real challenge right now, on a week-to-week basis,” Klieman said. "I'm guarded, and I'm upset with some things that I saw. But we're not gonna get anyone off the free-agent wire. We can cut a bunch of guys, but we're already down to 70-something players practicing. I can get rid of 15 guys who didn't have their eye discipline or didn't do well. I'm not gonna get them off the street. Once you've got a roster, you can't join it or leave it."