The Oklahoma Sooners are just now a week into fall camp and already have a lengthy list of players dealing with injuries.
Local media was allowed at a portion of the Sooners' practice on Tuesday, and everyone there put out name after name of players who were either limited or didn't participate at all. There's no need to panic yet with the season opener against UTEP on Friday, Sept. 4, still over three weeks away, but it's definitely worth some concern considering it was only Day 6 of practice, and the Sooners are already dealing with multiple injuries. Most absences were likely out of caution, but again, we're just six days into camp, and OU fans are already scarred from the past.
Michael Fasusi among a list of concerning injuries for Sooners
The most notable injury update from multiple reporters was that starting left tackle Michael Fasusi and guard Heath Ozaeta did not participate on Tuesday, at least during the open portion of practice. Both have starting experience, with Fasusi already locking down arguably the most important spot on the line and Ozaeta battling for that open fifth spot along the line.
The Sooners have dealt with multiple injury blows to the offensive line the past few years and looked scary thin at times while being forced to shift guys around to make things work. That's especially crucial in the SEC, where games are won in the trenches. Even if Fasusi and Ozaeta were held out with extra precaution, it's still worrisome considering the recent track record at the position.
Without Fasusi and Ozaeta, Ryan Fodje switched to left tackle, and freshman Noah Best had to step up and go with the starters at right guard, where Fodje had been expected to start. If the Sooners played today with this situation, it would likely go (from left to right): Fodje, Eddy Pierre-Louis, Jake Maikkula, Best, and E'Marion Harris.
Read more: Predicting Oklahoma's 2026 depth chart heading into fall camp
The running back room has also been looking deserted, with Tory Blaylock and Jonathan Hatton Jr. both dressed but not participating on Tuesday. Blaylock also missed all of spring camp with an injury, and so did Xavier Robinson. That opened the door for Colorado State transfer Lloyd Avant to make a great first impression on new running backs coach Deland McCullough.
These running back injuries, though, make it unlikely that McCullough will really have a rotation settled by the season opener, and more importantly, that Week 2 trip to Michigan.
Read more: Oklahoma running back pecking order is already taking shape during fall camp
According to Sooners on SI, other players who were either out or wore "no contact" jerseys while still nursing an injury on Tuesday included linebacker Kristan Moore, defensive end CJ Nickson, cornerback LeBron Bauer, defensive back Preston Mickens, cornerback Derrick Johnson II, defensive back Trystan Haynes and cornerback Dakoda Fields.
Although no one from that group is expected to start and few will likely contribute much in 2026, the number of defensive backs sidelined is still unsettling since the Sooners are already thin throughout the secondary.
This is all a catch-22. It's too early to really be concerned about injuries, especially if it's nothing severe, but the fact that it is so early in fall camp also makes it a concern, especially with what the Sooners have dealt with the past few years.
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