Kansas State Down Two Key Contributers vs. TCU

Kansas State will be without two of its most important playmakers on Saturday when the Wildcats host TCU in a crucial Big 12 battle.

Star running back Dylan Edwards and rising edge rusher Tobi Osunsanmi have both been ruled out or are expected to miss the contest, dealing a serious blow to a K-State team that cannot afford to be shorthanded.

Edwards has been nursing multiple lower-body injuries and was officially listed as questionable on the Big 12’s injury report earlier this week. However, the final update indicates that he will not suit up. That takes a dynamic element out of Kansas State’s offense, as Edwards is the most explosive back on the roster. His ability to flip the field, catch the ball out of the backfield, and force missed tackles has been a critical component for an offense still trying to find consistency behind quarterback Avery Johnson. Without him, the Wildcats will likely turn to a rotation that includes Joe Jackson and Devon Rice, though neither replicates Edwards’ open-field speed or burst through the hole.

On the defensive side of the ball, Osunsanmi’s absence may prove just as significant. The junior edge rusher has been one of the most productive pass rushers in the Big 12 so far this season, consistently getting into the backfield and disrupting opposing quarterbacks. His presence has helped free up other defenders and has forced teams to account for his quickness off the edge. Without him, Kansas State will have to rely more heavily on interior pressure or bring extra bodies on blitzes, both of which could open up opportunities for TCU’s offense to exploit.

For a team sitting at 2–4 and looking for something to ignite a turnaround, missing two cornerstone players on both sides of the ball is a tough pill to swallow. Kansas State will need an exceptional performance from its quarterback and a clean game from its depth players to stay competitive. With the margin for error already thin, the Wildcats are entering Saturday’s game at less than full strength, and how they respond without Edwards and Osunsanmi could define the trajectory of their season.