Mangino: Duncan hobbled by hamstring

Mark Mangino doesn’t like to talk about injuries.

He must dislike being asked about them even more.

Kansas University’s football coach broke his own policy at his Tuesday news conference and revealed that junior running back Reggie Duncan has a hamstring injury.

Duncan, who was a starter last year, hasn’t played since the second game of the season. In the interim three weeks, Mangino said Duncan had an unspecified “nagging injury” each time he was asked about Duncan’s status.

“I keep telling you he has a nagging injury,” Mangino said with a chuckle. “Well, now it’s starting to nag me a little bit that I have to tell you that every time we meet. The nagging injury is a hamstring, and it’s not ready. We’re hoping he’ll be ready to see some action this weekend, but I can’t promise you that.”

KU (2-3 overall, 0-1 Big 12) will play in Duncan’s home state Saturday when the Jayhawks meet Baylor (2-2, 0-0) at Waco, Texas.

Mangino said head football athletic trainer Carol Jarosky had been working diligently to help Duncan recover.

“Every time we think he’s about ready, things just don’t feel right for him,” Mangino said. “Probably the best he’s felt was last night.”

Duncan rushed for 739 yards in 10 games last season. He battled red-shirt freshman Clark Green for the starting job throughout the spring and preseason camp. He rushed for 61 yards on 23 carries in the first two games before sitting out the next three.

Green leads KU with 325 yards rushing and three touchdowns. He’s tied with Marcellus Jones for the team lead with 13 receptions and is second to Jones with 121 receiving yards.

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Another injury: Freshman receiver Dominic Roux had his left arm in a sling during Tuesday afternoon’s practice. The 6-foot, 175-pound Californian had 24 receptions for 611 yards last fall at Serra High in Los Angeles.

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Players of week: Mangino announced KU’s players of the week Tuesday. Junior quarterback Bill Whittemore was offensive player of the week after netting 395 yards total offense in the Jayhawks’ 43-33 victory last Saturday at Tulsa. Senior linebacker Greg Cole was defensive player of week with three tackles for losses, including a sack. Senior Greg Nicks was special teams player of the week. Top scout team players were junior defensive lineman Sid Bachmann and freshman running back Jerome Kemp.