It's been nothing but bad news for Oklahoma Sooners fans when it comes to injuries recently, especially with quarterback John Mateer breaking a bone in his throwing hand, but OU head coach Brent Venables finally shared some good news on that front.
During his coach's show on Monday night, Venables said he expects wide receiver Javonnie Gibson and cornerback Eli Bowen to return for the Sooners' game against Kent State at 3 p.m. CT Saturday in Norman. Both are potential starters who have been sidelined all season so far because of injuries.
Brent Venables expects Javonnie Gibson and Eli Bowen to return from injury vs. Kent State
"We got a couple guys coming back this week in Javonnie Gibson and — provided there's no setbacks — Eli Bowen,” Venables said. “So, excited to see those guys get back into the rhythm. They've been practicing for the last couple of weeks, so we'll give them a little action and see where they're at.”
It will be Gibson's OU debut after transferring from Arkansas-Pine Bluff this offseason. He impressed immediately and was expected to crack the starting lineup, but then broke his leg during a spring practice, so was sidelined all of fall camp and the first four games of the season.
Bowen broke out last season as a freshman, and while primed to reach another level with that experience, he was also shelved during fall camp and to this point in the season with an injury.
Although the preference would be to have both on the field since Week 1, this is ideal timing for their return following the Sooners' bye week. Both players got the week off to get back into things, and Kent State is also the perfect opponent to get back in the groove against. Gibson will also be a great target for sophomore Michael Hawkins Jr., who's replacing Mateer at quarterback while he's injured.
After Kent State is the Red River Rivalry, which will start a stretch of six ranked matchups in the next seven games for the Sooners. OU will need to be as close to 100% healthy as possible to survive the backend of its schedule and come out still as a College Football Playoff contender.
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