Colorado faces a Kansas State with a long list of quarterback injuries

Kansas State coach Collin Klein enters Colorado week without a settled starting quarterback, with injuries affecting every player he has at the position. “I don’t know exactly who is going to take the first snap on Saturday,” Klein said Monday. “That is where we’re at.” Avery Johnson remains day-to-

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Kansas State coach Collin Klein enters Colorado week without a settled starting quarterback, with injuries affecting every player he has at the position.

“I don’t know exactly who is going to take the first snap on Saturday,” Klein said Monday. “That is where we’re at.”

Avery Johnson remains day-to-day after missing the Wildcats’ 28-17 loss at Arizona State. His backup, Jacob Knuth, made his first collegiate start in that game and tweaked his ankle twice, leaving his availability for Saturday’s visit to Folsom Field uncertain.

Johnson’s return depends on recovery

Sep 5, 2026; Manhattan, Kansas, USA; Kansas State Wildcats head coach Collin Klein looks on during the third quarter against the Nicholls State Colonels] at Bill Snyder Family Football Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Sewell-Imagn Images

Klein, a Loveland, Colorado, native, is preparing for a trip to his home state in his first season leading Kansas State.

He declined to provide details about Johnson’s injury Monday, emphasizing that medical personnel will

guide the quarterback’s return.

“A lot of it is going to depend on how fast this recovery process goes,” Klein said.

Johnson has been able to throw and move around some, Klein said. Knuth completed 26 of 41 passes for 194 yards and a touchdown against Arizona State, adding a rushing score while playing through ankle trouble.

Collin Klein says Avery Johnson is day-to-day and it'll depend on how fast he can recover. They're monitoring it closely. Jacob Knuth is battling an ankle injury, but Blake Barnett and Dillon Duff are making progress.

Klein called it "a crazy situation" when it comes to the QBs.

— Derek Young (@DerekYoungKSO) October 26, 2026

Injuries beyond the top two quarterbacks

TEMPE, ARIZONA - OCTOBER 24: Jacob Knuth #7 of the Kansas State Wildcats scrambles with the football against the Arizona State Sun Devils during the first quarter of the game at Sun Devil Stadium on October 24, 2026 in Tempe, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

Dillon Duff and Blake Barnett have also dealt with injuries. Duff missed the nonconference schedule with a lower-body injury, while Barnett was hurt in the season opener. Both have shown progress, and Barnett dressed against Arizona State.

K-State reporter Derek Young reported Monday that all four quarterbacks were banged up and that potential emergency option Joe Jackson had also been hurt.

Colorado will prepare for multiple possibilities as it seeks to end a five-game losing streak. The Buffaloes enter at 2-5 overall and 0-4 in Big 12 play, making Saturday a critical game to earn their first conference victory and turn their season around.

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This article originally appeared on Buffaloes Wire: Colorado faces a Kansas State with a long list of quarterback injuries