Oklahoma fans have been concerned with the future status of defensive end R Mason Thomas since the moment he left early in the Sooners’ game against Tennessee two weeks ago.
On the initial SEC Availability Report on Wednesday evening and again on Thursday ahead of the No. 11 Sooners’ trip to No. 4 Alabama on Saturday, Thomas was listed as questionable, which gave the star defender a 50% chance to play in what’s a do-or-die game for the Sooners’ College Football Playoff chances. But things got worse from there.
R Mason Thomas injury update
Thomas was downgraded to doubtful on Friday's availability report before ultimately being out on Saturday.
Thomas exited in the first quarter against Tennessee on Nov. 1 and never returned to action in the 33-27 win. He injured his quad while returning a fumble for a 71-yard touchdown. He pulled up early during his sprint before limping into the end zone and needing some help coming off the field.
The Sooners also have other starting defenders on the injury report this week, including defensive tackle Jayden Jackson (game-time decision), Gentry Williams (out) and Kendel Dolby (out), but Thomas is by far their most vital asset, especially when getting to Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson on Saturday.
Final SEC Availability Report ahead of Oklahoma-Alabama: pic.twitter.com/6KKCKoJlQ8
— Stormin In Norman (@StorminInNorman) November 15, 2025
OU is third in college football with 33 sacks through nine games, and Thomas is the one leading that elite pass rush with a team-high 6.5 sacks, which is tied for fifth-most in the SEC. He also has 23 tackles and 9.5 tackles for loss this season.
On the plus side, even with Thomas sidelined, the Sooners are exceptionally deep at defensive end, with junior Adepoju Adebawore listed as his backup on OU’s Week 12 depth chart. However, the Sooners need to be as close to 100% as possible with all of their best playmakers with their CFP life on the line against Alabama.