Oklahoma head coach Brent Venables said during the Sooners' pre-fall camp press conference Wednesday that starting cornerback Eli Bowen will not be available for the start of fall camp, which begins on Thursday.
Bowen's injury isn't new news, but it was still a major update that it's still hindering him enough to shorten his fall camp. He also missed all of spring camp and wore a boot on his left leg during that time.
Brent Venables says Eli Bowen will not be available start of fall camp
Last season, Bowen played in 10 games and started the last seven as a freshman corner. He was a young breakout star for the Sooners with 26 tackles, two tackles for loss, one interception and four pass breakups.
Bowen isn't the only injury the Sooners are already dealing with even before fall camp gets going. Fellow cornerback Gentry Williams suffered a season-ending injury last year and was limited during the spring. Kendel Dolby, who played cheetah but could also spend time at corner this season, also suffered a season-ending injury that still limited him in the spring.
On the offensive side of the ball, transfer wide receiver Javonnie Gibson broke his leg during spring ball, but is expected to be back for OU's season opener against Illinois State on Aug. 30. Venables had compared it to Dolby's injury, but said Gibson's was not as severe.
Venables, as usual, did not give many details on injuries during Wednesday's press conference. The Sooners' health is one of the biggest questions of fall camp, though, after how much injuries derailed OU last season.
Last year during fall camp, wide receiver Jayden Gibson suffered a season-ending injury before it even kicked off. That was the beginning of the Sooners being without their five best receivers most of the season because of injuries. Now, with Javonnie Gibson already suffering a major injury and others sidelined before fall camp even got going, having a healthy team is even more of a worry for Sooner Nation.
Read more about OU football