Kansas State football faces a significant challenge as head coach Chris Klieman announced that senior linebacker will miss the rest of the season due to a knee injury sustained during the Wildcats’ 45-18 victory over West Virginia. Palmer, a 6-foot-2 defender from Overland Park, has been a key reserve behind Austin Romaine in the middle of the Wildcats’ defense this year, contributing eight tackles, including one for loss in the season-opener against Tennessee-Martin.
Klieman expressed deep sympathy for Palmer, noting that the senior had already overcome a previous injury to return to the field. “I am sick for Beau,” Klieman said. “He worked incredibly hard to get back and play for his teammates. It’s tough to see him go through this again.”
The loss of Palmer comes at a crucial time for the Wildcats as they prepare for their annual Sunflower Showdown rivalry game against the Kansas Jayhawks. Klieman acknowledged the impact Palmer’s absence will have on the team, especially given his strong performance in last year’s game against KU when Kansas State was dealing with other injuries. “He played his best game against KU last season when we were down a few guys. His absence will put more pressure on our other linebackers to step up,” Klieman said.
With Palmer sidelined, junior linebacker Terry Kirksey, a transfer from Hutchinson Community College, is expected to take on a larger role in the Wildcats’ defense moving forward. Although K-State has been relatively fortunate with injuries this season, the loss of Palmer presents a challenge as the team looks to continue its strong campaign.
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