The million dollar question is if Oklahoma quarterback John Mateer will play against Texas in the Red River Rivalry on Saturday, but it’s apparently an answer not even OU head coach Brent Venables has (supposedly).
After it was announced Mateer injured his throwing hand against Auburn on Sept. 20, it was immediately known from OU’s announcement that Mateer needed surgery and would miss the No. 6 Sooners’ next game against Kent State. Sooner Nation was unbothered by Mateer’s absence against the Golden Flashes, though, and has been mostly concerned about Mateer’s status for the Red River Rivalry at 2:30 p.m. CT Saturday in Dallas.
John Mateer injury update (or lack of)
With Texas Hate Week officially here, Venables during his weekly coach’s show Monday night gave even less information than he has before about Mateer’s timeline to return.
“I don’t know when John Mateer will be back,” Venables said. “Really not even anything to talk about. He’s on a progression through however long it takes those injuries to heal.”
OU fans would beg to differ that there’s nothing to talk about when it comes to Mateer’s status. That’s been the hottest topic on social media and around the water cooler for the last two weeks among Sooner Nation.
Initial reports stated Mateer would be sidelined for about a month. Then a few days after Mateer’s surgery nearly two weeks ago, Matt Zenits of CBS Sports reported there was “at least an outside chance” that Mateer could play against Texas. Then there was also the viral message board post that fueled OU fans with even more hope.
However, after Saturday’s win against Kent State, Venables said he assumed Mateer wouldn’t play when he was asked about his quarterback situation heading into the Red River Rivalry. That would make sophomore Michael Hawkins Jr. the starter against Texas for the second year in a row despite being the backup most of the season.
Just like most OU fans, though, Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian didn’t buy it. Despite what Venables mentioned, Sarkisian said during his weekly press conference on Monday — hours before Venables’ coach’s show — that the Longhorns are preparing to face Mateer.
To further the mystery of Mateer’s status, neither quarterback was made available to local media Monday evening, which will be the only time players are available to speak until Saturday. Although Venables said the week of Mateer’s surgery that Mateer would be available to media, Mateer hasn’t talked to reporters since the injury was made known. The Sooners also practiced indoors on Monday despite perfect weather in Norman.
The only possible saving grace for any information for those antsy for answers will be the SEC Availability Report, which will first be released Wednesday evening, then each day after. However, more than likely, Mateer will be listed as questionable throughout the week, again leaving fans with same question.