DT Jones still ailing

Junior likely won't play at Wyoming because of undisclosed injury

Defensive tackle Chuck Jones was missing from the updated depth chart Kansas University released Wednesday.

KU football coach Mark Mangino said after practice that the junior starter would “probably not” play Saturday at Wyoming.

“Chuck’s competing for that job, but he’s got to be 100 percent,” Mangino said. “We think he’s not far from that.”

Jones was moved from end to tackle during preseason workouts when junior starter Travis Watkins broke his foot. Jones started the season opener against Northwestern, but he suffered an undisclosed injury in that game and played only one series last week against UNLV.

The injuries have elevated senior reserve Sid Bachmann into a starting role. Red-shirt freshman Kyle Knighton, who had been a second-string defensive end, was moved to No. 2 at tackle behind Bachmann.

Junior linebacker John McCoy took Knighton’s spot at second-string end behind junior David McMillan.

At the other defensive end, senior Reggie Curry has replaced sophomore Monroe Weekley as the starter. Both players have started one game.

“Both kids are learning, getting better and I am pleased with the way they are progressing,” Mangino said. “We might just juggle these two back and forth so that we can create a good competition.”

Two other changes were made on defense. Red-shirt freshman Jonathan Lamb is the clear-cut No. 1 at free safety after being listed as co-No. 1 with sophomore Rodney Fowler for the first two weeks of the season.

Sophomore Ronnie Amadi replaced freshman Kenneth Thompson as the backup cornerback behind sophomore Donnie Amadi.

On offense, Junior Cullen Homolka moved ahead of junior Brandon Watkins as the second-string fullback.

  • Wet in Wyoming: The Weather Channel’s forecast for Saturday in Laramie, Wyo., is a high of 43, low of 31 and a 30 percent chance for rain. Mangino said the Jayhawks — who struggled in the rain during a 28-20 loss to Northwestern in the season opener — would use a wet ball in practice today.
  • Davis following football: KU radio play-by-play man Bob Davis will broadcast the Jayhawks’ game Saturday. That means he will give up his duties as TV voice of the Royals during the weekend when Kansas City has three televised games at Detroit. Ryan Lefebvre, the Royals radio color man, will fill in before Davis rejoins the team Tuesday in Cleveland.
  • Etc.: Junior tackle Phil Tuihalamaka missed the UNLV game because of a death in his family. … Wyoming freshman Derrick Martin, a second-string cornerback and special-teams player, is out for the season after breaking his left hand against OSU.