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Here's Latest Injury Update On Kansas State Wildcats TE Garrett Oakley
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- Here's Latest Injury Update On Kansas State Wildcats TE Garrett Oakley
(USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect)
The Kansas State Wildcats are expected to once again be without one of their key offensive players this weekend on the road against the Arizona State Sun Devils.
K-State coach Collin Klein hinted that tight end Garrett Oakley could miss the third game of the Big 12 conference schedule. Oakley did not play in last week's game against the Kansas Jayhawks in the Sunflower Showdown at Bill Snyder Family Stadium.
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Here's what Klein had to say during his weekly press conference about the Oakley situation.
"Probably unlikely, but we'll see," Klein said. "Day to day."
Oakley missed the game because of an undisclosed illness. It gave more opportunities to sophomore Linkon Cure, who is among the most hyped players in program history. He is the first five-star recruit to ever play at Kansas State.
While he has gotten off to a slow start, the Wildcats are hoping he can live up to the huge expectations. He has seven catches for 66 yards this season. Last week he caught two passes for 16 yards.
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The Wildcats need production from Cure because Oakley isn't the only tight end missing. Two weeks ago, it was announced that backup Will Anciaux would miss the season after sustaining a lower leg injury.
Klein is also experimenting with moving left tackle Oliver Miller to tight end. That's where he played last week in the win against the Jayhawks. It is unknown if the move is permanent but that's where Miller will play this week. This was a move that was in the works because the Wildcats coaching staff was using him at tight end the past few weeks.
A 6-foot-6 freshman, Miller has embraced the opportunity. He was a standout at Cherry Creek (Colo.) High School, where he was rated the No. 41 tackle in the country. Perhaps this could be a better calling for him because of his athleticism.
The Wildcats are in desperate need of someone to step in for Oakley. He was the leading receiver at the position for K-State a year ago. This season, he is among the top players on the roster with NFL interest. During training camp, Klein said he hosted several NFL scouts who were on campus to check out Oakley.
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The hope is Oakley is back in uniform sooner than later. He is a big component of the offense and is needed if the Wildcats are going to remain in the hunt for the Big 12 conference championship and College Football Playoff.
