Cole Ballard Injury Update
Kansas football is already preparing for a major challenge against Arizona State, but the Jayhawks also have to monitor the health of backup quarterback Cole Ballard after he suffered a shoulder injury during Friday’s 38-21 loss to Missouri.
Ballard entered the game in the third quarter as Kansas looked for a spark offensively. He was involved in a trick-play sequence that saw him complete a six-yard pass to starting quarterback Isaiah Marshall. Ballard appeared to suffer the injury after taking a hit while releasing the pass. He later was seen wearing a sling on his right arm during the fourth quarter.
The injury is significant because Ballard is more than just a backup. The redshirt junior competed with Marshall for the starting quarterback job throughout the offseason and was considered one of the two leading candidates for the position entering the season.
Kansas ultimately chose Marshall as its starter, but Ballard provides valuable depth and experience behind him. He also showed what he can do during Kansas’ season-opening win over LIU, completing four of six passes for 90 yards after entering late in the game.
Now, however, Kansas does not know whether Ballard will be available when the Jayhawks travel to London to face Arizona State.
Head coach Lance Leipold provided an update Monday, but he did not offer much certainty about Ballard’s status.
“He didn't practice today,” Leipold said. “That's about all I can give you at this time of where that's at, and where it's kind of going is — hopefully he'll be available. But, I can't say that at this time.”
That leaves Kansas with several days to determine whether Ballard can return to practice and be available Saturday.
The timing is not ideal for the Jayhawks. Kansas is coming off a disappointing loss to Missouri and will now face an Arizona State team that enters the matchup at 1-1. The Jayhawks need to move forward quickly, and having their quarterback room at full strength would give them another important option.
If Ballard cannot play, Kansas would likely turn to Chase Jenkins as the backup behind Marshall. Offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki previously indicated that Jenkins could step into that role if necessary.
For now, Kansas can only wait and monitor Ballard’s progress throughout the week.
The Jayhawks will have a clearer picture of his status when the Big 12 releases its first official injury report Wednesday. Until then, Ballard’s shoulder injury remains another storyline Kansas will have to follow heading into its first conference game of the season.
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Jimmy Adeniran is a contributor to JayhawksROUNDTABLE. He can be reached at [email protected]
