Kansas State backup QB Alex Delton injured right knee against UTSA, recovery time unknown

Kansas State will lack quarterback depth when it plays Louisiana Tech on Saturday, and possibly beyond.

Alex Delton, a freshman quarterback from Hays, suffered a meniscus injury to his right knee last week while closing out a 30-3 victory over Texas-San Antonio, according to three sources. Delton sustained the injury on a quarterback keeper in which he ran to his right and gained eight yards, the sources said.

He was forced out of bounds by several UTSA defenders on the play, but there was no tackle.

Replays of the game show Delton grimacing and rubbing his right knee as he lined up for the following snap, the final play of the game. He continued to rub the knee as he walked off the field and into the locker room.

Team trainers diagnosed Delton’s injury earlier this week, the sources said. His recovery time is unknown, as it depends on several factors, but the sources said he has not been practicing and he will not play against the Bulldogs.

K-State coach Bill Snyder has not spoken with media since Tuesday and was unavailable for comment. K-State athletic officials do not comment on injuries.

Starting quarterback Jesse Ertz injured his right knee on the first series of the year against South Dakota. He is expected to miss the remainder of the season and request a medical redshirt.

Delton is K-State’s current backup quarterback behind Joe Hubener. He enrolled a semester early at K-State and played well during the team’s spring game. He then competed for the starting job throughout preseason practices, ultimately finishing third in a four-man competition. He was elevated to second following Ertz’s injury.

Delton played in each of K-State’s first two games, totaling 18 yards on four carries. He didn’t attempt a pass.

Hubener took over for Ertz against South Dakota and led the Wildcats to a pair of lopsided victories. He has completed 21 of 41 passes for 390 yards and a touchdown. He has also rushed for 96 yards and a touchdown on 26 carries.

Without Delton, junior college transfer Jonathan Banks will serve as the team’s backup against Louisiana Tech. Banks, a sophomore, planned to redshirt this season, but those plans changed after the injury to Ertz. Snyder said Banks needed to be ready to play at any given moment.

This story was originally published September 17, 2015 at 8:16 PM with the headline "Kansas State backup QB Alex Delton injured right knee against UTSA, recovery time unknown."