KU running back Opurum out against Missouri

KU running back Toben Opurum gets wrapped up in the first half of the Kansas/Iowa State game.

Kansas University running back Toben Opurum will miss next Saturday’s regular-season finale against Missouri due to injury, coach Mark Mangino said Sunday night.

Opurum, a true freshman from Plano, Texas, was injured early in the first quarter of Saturday’s 51-20 loss to Texas and had to be helped from the field with what appeared to be a leg or ankle injury.

Asked whehter the injury could potentially require offseason surgery, Mangino said, “We don’t know that yet, and more than likely I would not reveal that because I don’t want to talk about injuries in depth to that extent. But it’s hard to tell. We know that he certainly can’t play this week. I will meet with the doctors probably tuesday afternoon after practice and they will inform me of what protocol there is.”

Through 11 games, Opurum is the team’s leader in carries (133), rushing yards (554) and rushing touchdowns (nine).

Mangino also indicated that defensive end Jake Laptad, also injured against the Longhorns, will likely be ready for this weekend’s game.