Corey Nelson Surgery Postponed Until After Red River Rivalry

Sep 7, 2013; Norman, OK, USA; Oklahoma Sooners linebacker Corey Nelson (7) breaks up a pass play on a fourth down in the fourth quarter against West Virginia Mountaineers tight end Cody Clay (88) at Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. The Oklahoma Sooners beat the West Virginia Mountaineers 16-7. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

Regardless of how bad the Texas Longhorns football team is, the Red River Rivalry remains one of the most important games of the year for the Oklahoma Sooners. There is no further proof than the fact that Corey Nelson postponed his surgery to fix his torn pectoral muscle until after the OU vs. Texas game. No, Nelson won’t play injured, but he did want to be at practice all week to help the younger defensive players prepare for this big game.

Nelson was supposed to undergo surgery yesterday and be recovering right now, but some things are more important to him. The Red River Rivalry is one of them. Corey Nelson is part of a senior class who have never lost to the Texas Longhorns and he wants to keep it that way.

“He wants to hold off until next week because he wants to be out on the field coaching and be around the guys all week,” Bob Stoops said Monday. “You love it. He wants to remain in that leadership role and do all he can to help us.”

One of the big things that Nelson is doing is working with freshman Dominique Alexander and junior Aaron Franklin. Stoops said that, whichever of those players has the best week in practice will start in the Red River Rivalry. Alexander said that Nelson has helped him more than almost anyone and credits him with helping show him how to be successful.

After Corey Nelson was injured, the TCU Horned Frogs came to life and gave the Sooners all kinds of trouble. Hopefully, with the extra work that Nelson is putting in with his young replacements, things will go smoother against Texas this weekend.

Corey Nelson’s OU career might be over with because he played in more than 30 percent of the Sooners’ games this season, which makes him ineligible for a medical redshirt. He still has a chance if he wants to come back for a fifth season, but that won’t be determined until the NCAA received his application.

“It will be a big difference on the field,” Franklin said. “Corey and Frank, they talk a lot to get (players) in the right places, making sure they’re all in sync. It’ll be a big role to fill.”

The Red River Rivalry between OU and Texas kicks off at 11 a.m. CST on Saturday.