The Oklahoma Sooners' wide receivers can't catch a break -- or maybe that's all they're catching.
After rumors but no official reports, OU head coach Brent Venables confirmed on Saturday after the Crimson Combine that new wide receiver Javonnie Gibson broke his leg during spring ball and had surgery last week.
The good news is that Venables expects Gibson to be ready for the Sooners' season opener against Illinois State, as long as there are no setbacks during his recovery.
#Sooners coach Brent Venables on Javonnie Gibson’s injury.
— Colton Sulley (@colton_sulley) April 12, 2025
Had surgery and Venables says he could be back before the season and confirms it’s a broken leg. pic.twitter.com/loimqMFZvv
New Sooners wide receiver Javonnie Gibson suffers major injury during spring
During the Crimson Combine broadcast, OU general manager Jim Nagy referred to Gibson's injury as "a fluke deal." Venables also mentioned that it was similar to the injury defensive back Kendal Dolby had last year, but not as severe. Dolby played the first four games before missing the rest of the season.
Gibson just got to OU after transferring from Arkansas Pine-Bluff during the winter. He had 70 receptions, 1,215 receiving yards and nine touchdowns last season at the FCS level. He averaged 17.4 yards a catch, which should help the Sooners after they averaged only 6.11 yards per passing attempt.
Even in a short time, Gibson had already been raising eyebrows throughout OU's spring, especially while paired up with new quarterback John Mateer.
Another John Mateer to Javonnie Gibson clip?
— BAE (@OkieFBfan) March 14, 2025
How could I not Sunshine pump?
pic.twitter.com/GvA7b6ZoNZ
Asked Oklahoma LB Kobie McKinzie last night if the defense feels excitement about the changes made on offense:
— Josh Callaway (@JoshMCallaway) March 11, 2025
"Oh yeah. Oh yeah. John Mateer is a dude. Javonnie Gibson is a guy. All the new guys we brought in...I think Coach Arbuckle instills that in them."#Sooners: pic.twitter.com/UVlFpCfrEO
Normally, Sooner Nation wouldn't be too concerned about an unknown receiver getting injured during the spring and not expected to miss any games. However, this seems like a red flag and maybe even just rotten luck for Emmett Jones' group.
The Sooners' top-five receivers missed almost the entire season last year because of serious injuries. Deion Burks and Jayden Gibson are the only ones from the group who returned to OU for this season.
Fans are starting to wonder if there's an actual issue causing all these receiver injuries beyond "fluke" deals.