Oklahoma injury update: Who the Sooners will be without vs. Kent State

It's time for the Sooners' first game without John Mateer.
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There's not much quantity on the Oklahoma Sooners' injury report against Kent State, but there's certainly quality.

The No. 5 Sooners host 1-3 Kent State at 3 p.m. CT Saturday at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium to finish out nonconference play, and although they don't need to be 100% to beat the Golden Flashes, the Sooners will be without their most important player in quarterback John Mateer.

Oklahoma vs. Kent State injury report

Saturday will be the Sooners' first outing since Mateer injured his throwing hand in the first quarter against Auburn two weeks ago and needed surgery. There's no timeline for Mateer's return yet, with hope he'll play against Texas next week, but he will for sure be out against Kent State.

Mateer was fully dressed for pregame warmups with a brace on his right hand, but did not actually participate. Regardless, it seems like a good sign that Mateer wasn't in street clothes.

Sophomore Michael Hawkins Jr. will take over at QB while Mateer is sidelined.

Similar to Mateer, defensive linemen Jayden Jackson and Damonic Williams were both suited up, but neither participated in pregame warmups, so they are not expected to play.

Other than Mateer, it was actually a week of positive news for the Sooners on the injury front thanks to a bye week for extra rest. OU head Brent Venables said earlier this week that projected starting wide receiver Javonnie Gibson and cornerback Eli Bowen are expected to make their season debuts after missing the first four games with injuries.

Bowen had a breakout season last year as a freshman, while Gibson has expectations to also break out after transferring from Arkansas-Pine Bluff this offseason.

Freshman left tackle Michael Fasusi also warmed up with the first-team offensive linemen after missing the last game against Auburn.

As for Kent State, according to OU's pregame radio show, starting QB Dru DeShields will not play and was in street clothes during warmups. He is apparently not injured, but Kent State wants to keep him healthy for conference play.

This injury report will be updated until kickoff.

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