No fracture for K-State’s Thompson

Kansas State received some good news Sunday on the Skylar Thompson injury front.

In fact, K-State coach Chris Klieman wouldn't even rule his senior quarterback out for Saturday's game at TCU.

"I think he has an opportunity to play, actually," Klieman said Monday during the Big 12 coaches teleconference.

Thompson went down midway through the second quarter of Saturday's 31-21 victory over Texas Tech following a late hit that resulted in Red Raider linebacker Riko Jeffers' ejection for targeting. When he returned to the sideline in the second half, Thompson's right arm was in a sling.

"Nothing was broken, which was good, and that was just an x-ray yesterday, so we're doing some tests today," Klieman said Monday. "There's not fracture, so that's a positive sign for Skylar."

True freshman Will Howard replaced Thompson and completed a 97-yard drive that gave K-State a 14-0 halftime advantage. He also led the Wildcats to two fourth-quarter touchdowns after Tech had rallied to take a 21-17 lead with just over 11 minutes left.

Howard completed 7 of 12 passes for 173 yards and a touchdown, while Thompson was 5 of 10 passing for 33 yards and a score, plus rushed for 21 yards on three attempts before leaving the game with 7:46 left in the first half.

The injury news was not all good for the Wildcats, who lost senior wide receiver Wykeen Gill for the season with an arm injury. Redshirt freshman offensive tackle also was hurt in the game, but Klieman said his status is more day to day.

"I'm so disappointed for Wykeen because he was doing some special things," Klieman said.

Sophomore receiver and return specialist Josh Youngblood also was sidelined for the Texas Tech game, limiting the Wildcats' depth when Gill went out. But Klieman expressed confidence in his receiving corps, and he also did not rule out using his stable of running backs to fill in as well.

"Josh was just unavailable," he said. "We hope to get Josh back here, if not this week, next week. But Josh has got a chance to be back this week, so that will help us.

"We have an abundance of backs that can do some things," he said. "(In wide receivers) Landry Weber, Phillip Brooks (and) Seth Porter, we have some guys — Keenan Garber — we have some guys that can step into that role as well.

"So we still have enough ability, enough players, so although it is unfortunate for Wykeen because he's such a great kid and a great players, we have some depth at the wide receiver position."

The Wildcats have less depth on the offensive line, where Beebe started each of the first three games at right tackle. Against Texas Tech, Christian Duffie started in place of Kaitori Leveston at left tackle, then moved to right tackle when Beebe went down. The only backup to see action was true freshman Carver Willis.