K-State coach says injured QB likely out for season

Avery Johnson, the quarterback who has started 32 games for Kansas State over the last four seasons, may not see the field again this year. Head coach Collin Klein spoke to reporters on Monday in Manhattan, Kansas, regarding the fourth-year starter's status ahead of a matchup against Oklahoma State.

Klein said he is unlikely to see Johnson play on Saturday, marking the third consecutive game the Wichita native has missed. While the coach described the injury timeline as "probably looking longer than not," he maintained there is an outside chance Johnson could return before the season ends.

The absence has forced the Wildcats to rotate through different signal-callers. Jacob Knuth started in a 28-17 loss to Arizona State on October 24. Two weeks later, Blake Barnett took the starting role in an overtime defeat to Colorado.

Klein noted that the situation is unlike any he has managed previously. "I've been through some crazy quarterback situations. I've not seen one like this before," Klein said. He credited the players in the room for facing difficult circumstances over the last 10 weeks, noting they have battled and supported one another to overcome the challenges.

The Wildcats, who are currently 4-4, will face Oklahoma State on Saturday at noon. Klein admitted his heart breaks for Johnson, a key figure in the program's recent history, as the team prepares to play without its veteran leader.

The decision on Johnson's future status remains undecided, with the coaching staff monitoring his recovery as the schedule tightens for the remainder of the campaign.