Welp, on the eve of taking on No. 1 Texas, the Oklahoma Sooners added yet another name to what was already a lengthy injured list. And that's only the start of the bad news after an overall positive report the evening before.
After rumors had swirled on social media and message boards since Thursday night about the worry, Friday night's availability report confirmed that OU starting cornerback Eli Bowen really did suffer an injury that could put him in jeopardy of playing in the Red River Rivalry on Saturday after being listed as questionable.
Matt Blackwell initially reported the news that Bowen injured his ankle during Thursday's practice, which would only add to the outrageous number of Sooners who have gotten hurt during one of Brent Venables' physical practices. One would assume it was somewhat of a freak incident since the Thursday before the biggest game of the season to this point shouldn't have been strenuous.
The availability report that's released 90 minutes before kickoff will confirm Bowen's status, but Blackwell already says that Bowen will miss the game. Football Scoop's Zach Barnett also used Blackwell's report.
FREE scoop from earlier this afternoon: #Sooners Eli Bowen expected to miss the game against Texas.https://t.co/nc7dHximzI
— Matt Blackwell (@mblackwell) October 9, 2026
Michael Fasusi and Eddy Pierre-Louis updates add to bad injury news
That wasn't the only bad news to come on Friday night. Starting left tackle Michael Fasusi was finally officially ruled out for the fourth straight game after being doubtful since Wednesday. Starting left guard Eddy Pierre-Louis was also downgraded from questionable to doubtful.
That puts the Sooners in danger of being without the entire left side of their starting offensive line while having to protect quarterback John Mateer from Texas' pass rush that ranks fourth in the country with 3.75 sacks per game.
This rivalry is also famous for whichever team records the most rushing yards usually wins the game. The Sooners already struggle on the ground, averaging only 99 rushing yards per game, so being down another starter will only make it even tougher sledding.
Ryan Fodje will start at left tackle again in place of Fasusi, while Heath Ozaeta will likely be at right guard.
Friday’s SEC availability report ahead of the Red River Rivalry: pic.twitter.com/JXnOiWFBIv
— Stormin In Norman (@StorminInNorman) October 10, 2026
With Pierre-Louis likely being sidelined, the Sooners will be down four starters if Bowen really is out against Texas. Bowen also isn't the only cornerback on the injured list.
Jacobe Johnson was injured against Georgia two weeks ago and has already been ruled out. If Johnson were healthy, he would be the one replacing Bowen on the other side of Courtland Guillory.
Instead, it will likely be sophomore Trystan Haynes making his first career start in the Red River Rivalry while trying to cover Cam Coleman, who was the No. 1 wide receiver prospect in the transfer portal over the offseason. OU will also have to rely some on Oregon transfer Dakoda Fields.
The ball hasn't even been kicked off yet at the Cotton Bowl, but it feels like the Sooners already suffered defeat on Friday night.
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