The Oklahoma Sooners have an even longer injury list than usual for their matchup with the Tennessee Volunteers.
The No. 18 Sooners play No. 14 Tennessee at 6:30 p.m. CT Saturday at Neyland Stadium in what could be considered an elimination game for the College Football Playoff. But with their backs against the wall, the Sooners will have to stay alive while already wounded.
Keontez Lewis, Kobie McKinzie injury update
According to Saturday's SEC Availability Report before kickoff, the Sooners will for sure be without eight players. That total jumped from seven Friday evening to eight after starting right tackle Derek Simmons was downgraded from doubtful to out on Saturday.
Simmons also missed last week with an ankle injury he suffered against South Carolina. In his place, freshman Ryan Fodje got his first career start last week and will likely step up on Saturday, too.
Backup right tackle Logan Howland, who was listed as probable on Friday, was removed from the list on Saturday, so should provide some depth behind Fodje.
Other notable absences on offense for the Sooners include running backs Jovantae Barnes and Taylor Tatum again, as well as wide receiver Keontez Lewis for the third game in a row. As usual, offensive linemen Troy Everett, Jacob Sexton and Jake Taylor are also out.
Defensively, for the third-straight week, defensive back Kendel Dolby was a late scratch after being listed as out the night before the game. OU head coach Brent Venables said last week that Dolby is “just trying to figure everything out, but he’s practicing.”
Linebacker Kobie McKinzie was listed as questionable on Friday after being downgraded from probable on Thursday. He was then labeled a game-time decision on the final availability report 90 minutes before kickoff.
Tennessee will be missing defensive back Rickey Gibson III, wide receiver Travis Smith Jr. and defensive back Jermod McCoy.