Patrick
LAWRENCE — The Kansas Jayhawks will take the court Tuesday night without their standout freshman Darryn Peterson, who is sidelined for the non-conference home matchup against Texas A&M-Corpus Christi.
As the No. 24-ranked Jayhawks (1-1) warmed up for the 7 p.m. (CT) tipoff inside Allen Fieldhouse, Peterson was spotted in street clothes, signaling his unavailability for the contest.
The guard’s absence leaves Kansas without one of its top scorers and playmakers, though the Jayhawks remain heavy favorites to win. However, if his condition continues to affect future games, the team may face a significant challenge.
Injury Timeline and Limited Playtime
Peterson’s availability has been uncertain since the preseason, where he was restricted during the second half of an exhibition game at Louisville and missed the next one against Fort Hays State at home.
He returned for the regular season opener against Green Bay, though he again appeared limited in the second half due to recurring cramping issues.
Despite managing to play through the recent road loss to No. 20 North Carolina, coach Bill Self later clarified that Peterson was substituted late in the game for precautionary reasons.
Looking Ahead: Key Upcoming Matchups
After facing Texas A&M-Corpus Christi (1-2), the Jayhawks will host Princeton on Saturday before heading to New York City next week for the Champions Classic against No. 4 Duke.
So far this season, Peterson has averaged 21.5 points per game in his two starts, underscoring how critical he is to Kansas’ offensive performance.
His short-term absence may not hurt much against lesser opponents, but his availability could be crucial for upcoming marquee games.
While Kansas should manage comfortably against Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, Darryn Peterson’s health remains a key storyline early in the season.
The team’s performance in upcoming games — especially against Duke — may hinge on how quickly the star freshman returns to full strength.
Coach Bill Self’s cautious approach suggests the team is prioritizing long-term readiness over short-term results.