KU could be without two starting offensive linemen for Texas game

Kansas coach Charlie Weis is waiting to see whether he’ll have starting offensive linemen Mike Smithburg and Damon Martin available for Saturday’s game against Texas at Memorial Stadium.

Smithburg, a senior right guard, had an appendectomy last Wednesday, while Martin is battling an undisclosed illness. Both missed last week’s victory over Central Michigan. Weis said Tuesday that Martin had undergone tests Tuesday afternoon, while Smithburg was set to see a doctor Wednesday.

“We could have neither,” Weis said. “We could have one, and we could have both.”

Junior right guard Bryan Peters started in place of Smithburg, while juco transfer Larry Mazyck got the call at right tackle.

“If I had one of (Smithburg and Martin) back, I would probably play them at right guard and keep Larry at right tackle,” Weis said. “If I had both of them back, they would both start at right guard and right tackle.”

Parmalee may play Saturday

Junior receiver Tre’ Parmalee, who suffered an elbow injury in preseason camp, was back on the depth chart Tuesday, listed as the backup for senior receiver Tony Pierson. It appears likely that Parmalee, a Bishop Miege graduate, could be available for the Texas game.

“To be honest with you, Tre’ was playing so well (during the preseason), we were trying to figure out how to get him in the first three,” Weis said. “But he’s back and ready to go, so we’ll try to get him into the mix this week.”

But Coleman won’t

Receiver Rodriguez Coleman, a one-time starter, did not play against Central Michigan and is not expected to play this week. Coleman did not appear on the depth chart and Weis did not elaborate about his status.

“He’s not on it right now, is he?” Weis said. “Then don’t expect to see him play.”

Miles still injured

Junior linebacker Schyler Miles is not fully healthy, Weis confirmed Tuesday. Miles has not played this season and might be a candidate for a medical redshirt.

Weis backs kicker

For now, Weis appears confident going forward with sophomore kicker Matthew Wyman, who is four of eight on field-goal opportunities this year. He is one of four from 40 yards or longer. True freshman John Duvic is listed as the backup kicker.

“Do I think our kicker is capable of being a much higher percentage kicker than that? I think he is,” Weis said. “If I thought that the young guy would give us a better chance to win, I’d put him in there. But based off of the evidence we have in practice, that’s not the case.”

Texas dismisses lineman

Texas coach Charlie Strong has dismissed former starting offensive tackle Kennedy Estelle for a violation of team rules.

Estelle started the Longhorns’ first game, a 38-7 win over North Texas, but was suspended soon after and hadn’t played since, missing losses to BYU and UCLA. He is the ninth player dismissed by Strong in his first season.

Texas’ offensive line has been decimated by suspensions and injuries. Also suspended is Desmond Harrison, who was expected to start this season but was benched before the first game because of a rules violation and hasn’t played. Center Dominic Espinosa, who had 40 career starts, broke his ankle in the first game.

This story was originally published September 23, 2014 at 3:09 PM with the headline "KU could be without two starting offensive linemen for Texas game."