Lance Leipold faces significant roster questions as the Jayhawks navigate leg injuries to veteran playmaker Cam Pickett and freshman Kory Amachree ahead of Friday's clash with LIU.
Kansas WR Cam Pickett Questionable For Season Opener Against LIU
Kansas football could be without one of its top returning wide receivers when the Jayhawks open the 2026 season against Long Island on Friday night.
Head coach Lance Leipold said Monday that Cam Pickett's status remains uncertain as the veteran receiver continues dealing with a leg injury that sidelined him for multiple practices during fall camp.
“Don’t know yet where Cam will be at this time,” Leipold said. “We’ll know as the week goes on. He did not practice today.”
Despite the uncertainty, Pickett was listed as one of Kansas' three starting wide receivers on the team's first depth chart of the season.
His availability would give new starting quarterback Isaiah Marshall one of Kansas' most experienced offensive weapons. Pickett caught 45 passes for 476 yards and three touchdowns as a redshirt junior in 2025 and is expected to play a significant role alongside Buffalo transfer Nik McMillan this fall.
Kansas is also dealing with a more significant injury in its running back room.
Freshman Kory Amachree will miss an extended period after suffering an injury earlier in camp, Leipold announced Monday.
“Kory Amachree is another one that I can probably let you know now that Kory was injured earlier and will be out for an extended period of time,” Leipold said.
Leipold did not provide specifics about the injury or a timetable for Amachree's return. The freshman was not included on Kansas' opening-week depth chart.
The Jayhawks still have multiple options in their backfield, led by Dylan Edwards, as they prepare for their first game under offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki.
No other injury concerns were specifically identified by Leipold during Monday's press conference.
Kansas will open its season against LIU on Friday at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. CT on ESPNU.
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