Major Injury Cloud Hangs Over Big 12 Powerhouse Ahead of Crucial Conference Showdown

· Yahoo Sports

Avery Johnson and the Kansas State Wildcats are not having a good 2026 season. They are having quite a disappointing season under first-year head coach Collin Klein. The college football program has an overall 4–3 record, but only 1–3 in the Big 12.

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Already suffering with the results, the program has been hit with another devastating news. One key player will not be able to play in an upcoming crucial fixture.

Avery Johnson “unlikely to play” against Colorado Buffs

Kansas State starting quarterback Johnson has been officially ruled out for the Wildcats’’ October 31, 2026, game against the Colorado Buffs at Folsom Field. The team confirmed the news in their latest availability report. This marks the second consecutive contest he will miss after sitting out the previous week’s 28-17 loss at Arizona State.

Oct 21, 2023; Manhattan, Kansas, USA; Kansas State Wildcats quarterback Avery Johnson (5) warms up before the start of a game against the TCU Horned Frogs at Bill Snyder Family Football Stadium. The Wildcats completed their season with a win in the Pop-Tarts Bowl, 28-19. Mandatory Credit: Scott Sewell-USA TODAY Sports

The injury originated in the first quarter of Kansas State’s October 17 victory over the Kansas Jayhawks. Johnson broke free for a 59-yard run, fell awkwardly to the turf, and remained down for several minutes receiving medical attention. He missed only one play, returned to finish the game, and showed no immediate lingering issues on the field. However, effects from the play, described by multiple reports as involving the neck/shoulder area persisted, leading coach Collin Klein to keep details private to protect the player’s medical confidentiality.

Klein had previously labeled Johnson day-to-day, noting that any return depended on the speed of his recovery process under the guidance of the team’s medical staff. Johnson had started 32 consecutive games prior to the Arizona State absence and entered the season as a productive dual-threat option, completing 118 of 187 passes for 1,301 yards with 10 touchdowns and three interceptions while adding 462 rushing yards and three scores.

To add further complications, backup quarterback Jacob Knuth, who started against Arizona State and completed 26 of 41 passes for 194 yards and a touchdown while adding a rushing score, is also listed as doubtful after rolling his ankle twice in that game. Kansas State may turn to Blake Barnett or Dillon Duff instead. Klein said about the situation, “I don’t know exactly who is going to take the first snap on Saturday. That is where we’re at.”

It remains to be seen what steps the program will take next.

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