Bill Whittemore was back on the practice field, throwing passes to his receivers Tuesday at Kansas University.

Before too long, the Jayhawks’ injured senior quarterback could be back on the playing field.

“Bill is doing very well,” KU football coach Mark Mangino said during his weekly news conference. “I’ll probably get in trouble for saying this with our medical staff, but I think there’s a good possibility he will be back before the season ends. How quickly? I don’t know, but they said he is well on his way. He is healing faster, and the situation is coming along much, much better than they originally anticipated. I hold out hope he will play before the season is over.”

KU (5-4 overall, 2-3 Big 12 Conference) has three regular-season games remaining, including Saturday’s home game against Nebraska (7-2, 3-2). Kickoff is scheduled for 2:30 p.m.

Whittemore suffered an undisclosed injury Oct. 25 in a 42-6 loss at Kansas State. Adam Barmann filled in Saturday and set a KU freshman record with 294 yards passing in a 45-33 loss at Texas A&M. He also threw four touchdown passes and ran for another score.

If Whittemore does return, there won’t be a quarterback controversy.

“Bill Whittemore is the guy,” Mangino said. “He’s the starter here. He’s earned that right. It’s going to work out great because Adam Barmann got some valuable experience this year. We know that when we go to training camp next fall we will have at least one quarterback in our program that has been battle-tested in tough situations. Had Bill been healthy all year, we would not have that luxury. Adam benefits from this experience, whether he has to play the rest of the year or whatever the situation is, but Bill Whittemore is the starter.”

Whittemore, who passed for 1,921 yards and 15 touchdowns in eight games, was limited to noncontact drills Tuesday.

While Barmann is in the starting role, sophomore Brian Luke is No. 2 on KU’s depth chart ahead of junior John Nielsen.

6Sports video: Mangino looks at KU’s defense 6Sports video: Starting spot saved for Whittemore

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Players of the week: Barmann was named KU’s offensive player of the week, but Mangino did not name a defensive player after A&M netted 547 yards. Special-teams player of the week was senior Dan Coke. Scout-team players were junior linebacker Zach Mims and freshman receiver Dominic Roux.

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Sellout likely: Associate athletic director Jim Marchiony said KU had sold “between 49,000 and 50,000” tickets for Saturday’s game. Memorial Stadium’s capacity is 50,071.

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Kicking competition: Mangino used backup kicker Jerod Brooks for a kickoff and an extra point in the second half against A&M after junior Johnny Beck missed a 42-yard field-goal attempt and an extra point.

Beck has made eight of 14 field goals and 31 of 34 extra points.

“I have not lost confidence in Johnny Beck,” Mangino said. “I think he is a talented guy. I think he needs to compete for that job, and competing for that job gives you the mental edge that you need. Last year, he was pretty much our only kicker. Nearly every other position on the field … guys have to fight to earn those positions. He hasn’t had much to compete against until now. Jerod Brooks has worked hard and has made himself a factor in this thing.”

Both kickers will be used against Nebraska.

“Johnny has a stronger leg, and there is no question he has longer range,” Mangino said. “Longer field goals would be more in Johnny’s hands. Extra points and close-range field, he’s competing with Johnny, and in some ways Jerod might have an edge in getting it done from that area.”

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Personnel upgrade: In another special-teams shakeup, Mangino has made personnel changes on the kickoff-return unit after it struggled at A&M. Expect to see as yet unnamed starters from the offensive and defensive units blocking for return man Greg Heaggans against the Cornhuskers.

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Jones and Weekley: Junior Chuck Jones and sophomore Monroe Weekley had been regulars on KU’s defensive line, but neither made the trip to A&M, and Mangino said he had not determined whether they would play against Nebraska.

Jones had started three games and Weekley two, but Mangino said both players failed to make the two-deep chart last week.

“I have high standards here, and I don’t care who you are or how good you are supposed to be,” Mangino said. “You have to do what is asked of you or you won’t wear our uniform on gameday. I am confident those kids will get back here pretty quick.”