Is R Mason Thomas playing vs Missouri: Latest injury update

Once again, Oklahoma fans have spent all week wondering if the Sooners' best defensive player will suit up on Saturday.

OU defensive end R Mason Thomas already missed the Sooners' road upset over then-No. 4 Alabama last week, which in hindsight didn't really matter, but fans would still feel a lot more comfortable with Thomas out there as the Sooners need to win their last two games, including against No. 22 Missouri at 11 a.m. CT Saturday, to lock in their spot in the College Football Playoff.

R Mason Thomas injury update

Thomas was listed as questionable on the first two SEC Availability Reports of the week, but on Friday, he was downgraded to doubtful, which gives players a 25% chance of playing. Although the availability report didn't rule Mason out yet, multiple reports on Friday night said Thomas is not expected to play.

Last week, Thomas was also listed as questionable before being downgraded to doubtful on Friday, then ultimately out on the game day report that was released 90 minutes before kickoff.

Thomas injured his quad against Tennessee on Nov. 1 when he recovered a fumble and returned it for a 71-yard touchdown. It was clear Thomas was injured during the run before he even reached the end zone and he needed assistance off the field before not returning.

Even after missing most of the last two games with the injury, Thomas, a senior and team captain, still leads the Sooners with 6.5 sacks. He also has 23 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss, two quarterback hurries, a fumble recover and two forced fumbles in nine games this season.

With Thomas likely sidelined again, Taylor Wein and Marvin Jones Jr. will likely start on the edges again for the Sooners. Wein notched a sack last week.