Injury Report: Jaleel Johnson, Tate Romney Out for Cowboys’ Game Against Kansas State

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MANHATTAN, Kansas — It’s official, the Cowboys’ defense will be down two more starters against Kansas State.

Defensive end Jaleel Johnson and linebacker Tate Romney were listed as out on Friday night’s update on the player availability report. Both defenders suffered injuries in Ames last week.

The Cowboys will also be without tight end Carson Kolb, defensive tackle Landon Dean and freshman receiver Dayvon Standard.

Johnson has 16 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss and a pair of sacks this season while playing the third-most snaps of any OSU defensive lineman. He has started seven of the Cowboys’ games.

The Cowboys’ rotate heavily along the defensive front anyway, but that rotation will be without a key cog against the ‘Cats.

Romney has played the fourth-most snaps of any OSU defender and ranks second on the team with 63 total tackles. His seven tackles for loss are a team-high.

In Romney’s absence, expect more from UCLA transfer Isaiah Chisom, who has 42 tackles this season. OSU isn’t super deep at linebacker, as junior college transfer Taurean Davis will likely be the group’s third man.

Johnson and Romney join safety Mose Phillips as injured defensive starters.

Kolb suffered an injury in the Cowboys’ win against Colorado. He has seven catches for 58 yards and two touchdowns this season

“I think it will probably be a week or two more,” said OSU coach Eric Morris on Tuesday of Kolb’s timeline. “Doesn’t look great right now. But really happy, I thought Oscar (Hammond) played well in the game, Donovan (Green) came in and did some nice stuff for us. Morgan McPhaul has played all season long. So, kinda got a little stable of guys there we’re confident in.”

OSU and Kansas State get going at noon on Saturday in Manhattan. The game will be televised on TNT.