Kansas Jayhawks football coach shares update about QB Jalon Daniels’ knee injury
Kansas Jayhawks football coach Lance Leipold shared an update on the health of quarterback Jalon Daniels.
Daniels, who has dealt with injuries throughout his KU career, underwent what the coach called a “minor knee procedure” in February.
“He’s right on schedule,” Leipold said. “He’s doing everything.”
That’s an encouraging sign for the Jayhawks. Daniels didn’t play much during KU’s spring practices but started to participate near the end.
Leipold remains optimistic about Daniels’ recovery and even shared a story about his developing connection with wide receiver Emanuel Henderson, a transfer from Alabama.
“Trent Carter, our trainer who does an outstanding job, told me about three weeks ago that he saw Jalon throwing the ball as well as he’s seen him,” Leipold said.” He was throwing with Emmanuel Henderson. He said I don’t know how far he threw it, like 70 to 75 yards in the air.
“He goes, ‘Of all the years I’ve worked with Jalon ... I don’t know if I’ve seen Jalon throw the ball that far,’” Leipold recalled. “I was asking Jalon, who’s laughing, and he goes, ‘Yeah, ‘I didn’t realize really how fast Emmanuel Henderson is, so I’ve got to let go of it a little bit sooner — I had to catch up.’”
For Daniels, the opportunity to work with KU’s new-look group of wide receivers is significant. He missed most of last spring’s practice sessions while recovering from a back injury sustained during the 2023 season.
Now, Daniels approaches his final collegiate season with NFL aspirations after deciding to return to Kansas in December.
He’s coming off an up-and-down 2024 season. He finished strong after a slow start, throwing for 2,454 yards and 14 touchdowns against 12 interceptions. He also rushed for 447 yards and six touchdowns.
Now all eyes are on Daniels and the Jayhawks, who are scheduled to face Fresno State on Aug. 23 in KU’s newly renovated David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium.
This story was originally published June 12, 2025 at 11:15 AM.
