Jalon Daniels and Shaking Off the Rust After Injury: The Kansas Jayhawks football program is searching for answers as to why their offense, which was among the best in the nation last year and returned nearly all its key skill players, is struggling. Much of the criticism has been directed toward offensive coordinator Jeff Grimes’ play-calling and the performance of quarterback Jalon Daniels. For Daniels, one common explanation is that his slow start might be due to rust, given that he went almost a full year without playing a game. He needed time and reps to get back into form. This raises the question: how are other quarterbacks who suffered season-ending or extended injuries in 2023 performing so far this season? Can we identify other examples of “rust” affecting their play?
Jalon Daniels
It’s especially intriguing in a sport with limited sample sizes, where seasons are just 12 regular-season games long, and many players, after waiting for their turn or battling injuries, end their college careers or head to the NFL with only 10-20 starts under their belts. However, it’s important to note a few caveats: each quarterback’s situation is unique, with varying injury types, skill levels, coaching staffs, and even schools. So, this isn’t an apples-to-apples comparison—it’s more like comparing apples, oranges, strawberries, mangos, and kiwi all mixed together.
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