It doesn't sound promising that the Oklahoma Sooners will be at full-strength when they take on South Carolina on Saturday.
OU head coach Brent Venables said Tuesday during his weekly press conference that starting right tackle Derek Simmons is "day-to-day" after Simmons exited the Sooners' 23-6 loss to Texas near the end of the first quarter and never returned. Simmons was rolled up on during a play and immediately grabbed his left leg before eventually limping to the tunnel under his own power.
Derek Simmons injury update
#Sooners OT Derek Simmons is 'day-to-day' per Brent Venables. Here's the first quarter injury on Saturday: pic.twitter.com/Xr2gdv5uzl
— Eddie Radosevich (@Eddie_Rado) October 14, 2025
Simmons, listed at 6-foot-5 and 317 pounds, transferred from Western Carolina this offseason as a redshirt senior. He took over the Sooners' right tackle spot after missing Week 1 with an injury.
Similar to last season, the Sooners are again decimated along the offensive line as SEC play heats up, especially at tackle. OU was already without offensive linemen Troy Everett, Logan Howland, Jacob Sexton and Jake Taylor against Texas on Saturday. Everett will miss the rest the rest of the season, while Venables said Sexton is expected to return eventually.
Third-string tackle Luke Baklenko filled in after Simmons was injured. Howland would be Simmons' usual backup if healthy. Behind Baklenko, though, the Sooners don't really have anyone else left at tackle, and Baklenko is listed as a left tackle so switched sides to step in for Simmons.
Simmons, Howland Taylor, respectively, are listed on OU's Week 8 depth chart, and Simmons was the only one of three who even suited up last week. Baklenko and starting freshman Michael Fasusi are the only ones listed at left tackle.
Per usual, Venables won't hand out much information about an injury, but more on Simmons' status will be known Wednesday evening, when the first SEC Availability Report of the week will be released ahead of the Sooners' trip to South Carolina.