Kansas State left tackle John Pastore will miss the season after suffering a lower leg injury during preseason camp, coach Collin Klein announced Thursday.
Pastore, a preseason All-Big 12 honoree, started all 12 games for the Wildcats last season. The 6-foot-6, 302-pound tackle earned second-team All-Big 12 honors from the league's coaches and was entering his second season as a starter.
"Incredibly unfortunate, very freak in nature and out of really anyone's control," Klein said.
As a fifth-year player, Pastore would not be eligible to return in 2027 under the NCAA's new age-based eligibility rules. The NCAA eliminated medical hardship waivers as part of its eligibility reform that grants student-athletes five years of eligibility.
Klein said junior Ryan Howard, senior Tyler Johnson and freshman Oliver Miller are competing to take over for Pastore at left tackle. The Wildcats return their starting right tackle in Gus Hawkins.
Offensive tackle George Fitzpatrick has not been cleared to return from the medical issue that sidelined him in 2025, and Klein said Thursday that doctors have recommended he sit out this season.
The former Ohio State transfer experienced an unspecified medical emergency last July and has yet to appear in a game for the Wildcats.
"Football is still not out of the question in his future by any stretch," Klein said, "but his long-term health and safety has always been at the forefront, and I think that's the best decision for him. He's done everything and been an unbelievable teammate, and my heart breaks for him because of how hard he's worked through this process to try to contribute to our program and our football team."
Kansas State could look to the transfer portal for more offensive linemen as players from the high school Class of 2022 continue to fight the NCAA in court for their fifth year of eligibility, but Klein acknowledged it might be too late to make those moves.
"We're monitoring it, we have a few irons in the fire, but it's a crazy time of year to even be trying to put that together," he said.
Kansas State opens the season Sept. 5 against Nicholls (7 p.m. ET, ESPN+).