The Oklahoma Sooners are dealing with a number of injuries to key players on both sides of the ball as they prepare for their first SEC road trip to Auburn, Alabama.
It’s an unfortunate set of circumstances that Brent Venables finds his team in looking to bounce back from their first loss of the season. Heading into the hostile environment provided by Jordan-Hare Stadium, the Sooners have lost a lot of experience due to injuries. With true freshman quarterback Michael Hawkins Jr. set to make the first start of his collegiate career, missing that experience could have an impact on the offense’s performance.
Here’s a look at the first injury report ahead of Oklahoma vs. Auburn.
Oklahoma Injury Report
Player
Position
Status 9/25
Jayden Gibson
WR
OUT
Jalil Farooq
WR
OUT
Gentry Williams
DB
OUT
Geirean Hatchett
OL
OUT
Nic Anderson
WR
OUT
Kendel Dolby
DB
OUT
Tyler Keltner
K
OUT
Andrel Anthony
WR
Doubtful
Taylor Tatum
RB
Doubtful
Dasan McCullough
LB
Questionable
Deion Burks
WR
Questionable
Jake Taylor
OL
Probable
The Oklahoma Sooners have been without key pass catchers Jayden Gibson, Jalil Farooq, and Andrel Anthony. Though he hadn’t played much this season, loss of Nic Anderson compiles the problem. Also listed as questionable on the initial injury report is Oklahoma’s go-to option, Deion Burks.
Burks has been the most productive and consistent part of the Sooners offense, racking up 26 catches for 201 yards and three touchdowns. He’s also added five carries for 32 yards in the jet sweep game. In his stead in week four, Jaquaize Pettaway stepped up and provided an explosive element to the passing game, recording three receptions for 79 yards, including a big catch and run that put the Sooners in scoring territory.
Andrel Anthony, who was reportedly progressing from the knee injury he suffered last October, doesn’t look close to contributing at this point. He played a few snaps in week one but hasn’t been in the game since.
If there’s any good news on this week’s injury report for the Sooners, it’s that projected starting right tackle Jake Taylor was listed as probable for the Sooners. Oklahoma’s had to mix and match their offensive line a lot over the first four weeks due to injuries. But perhaps there’s a light at the end of the tunnel.
Center Branson Hickman, who missed the wins over Houston and Tulane, returned for the Tennessee game. They had four out of their five projected offensive line starters in that game, but because they hadn’t played together much, they lacked cohesion and execution.
If Taylor can play this week, it’ll be the first time they’ve had all five of their projected starters together at the same time.
Another key player to watch on this week’s injury report is running back Taylor Tatum. Tatum emerged as the backup running back behind Jovantae Barnes during his true freshman season. But he took a shot to the head in the loss to Tennessee and was removed from the game. He’s had some bright spots early in his Oklahoma career. If he can’t go this week, which seems unlikely, look for Gavin Sawchuk and Sam Franklin to get more opportunities in the running game.
Auburn Injury Report
Player
Position
Status 9/25
Tyler Scott
DB
OUT
Champ Anthony
DB
OUT
Brandon Frazier
TE
OUT
Isaiah Raikes
DL
Questionable
Alex McPherson
K
Questionable
Izavion Miller
OL
Questionable
For Auburn, one of the players to watch on the injury report is right tackle Izavion Miller. Miller leads all Auburn offensive linemen in snaps. He played 60 snaps against Arkansas and started all three games this season. He’s only allowed one pressure on 62 pass block snaps per Pro Football Focus in 2024.
Defensive lineman Isaiah Raikes is one to watch on the defensive side. He’s started three of Auburn’s four games this season and is second among defensive linemen in snaps this season. According to Pro Football Focus, Raikes is No. 9 in defensive grade among Auburn Tigers.
We’ll continue to follow the injury report as we get closer to kickoff.
Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions.You can also follow John on X @john9williams.
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Publish date : 2024-09-26 05:00:00
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