Oklahoma QB John Mateer could miss significant time including Red River Rivalry with injury

During a bye week when the Oklahoma Sooners had no worry of a loss, they suffered their biggest deficit of the season.

OU announced on Tuesday that quarterback and Heisman Trophy frontrunner John Mateer injured his throwing hand in the first quarter against Auburn on Saturday and will have surgery on Wednesday. According to SoonerScoop, Mateer could miss "three or more weeks," while OU head coach Brent Venables said they expect Mateer to return sometime this season.

According to ESPN's Pete Thamel, the injury is a broken bone in Mateer's right hand and expected recovery is "about a month." Mateer will have the surgery in Los Angeles, per Thamel.

John Mateer to undergo hand surgery

"After consulting with medical experts, it became clear that surgery is the best option for John and his short- and long-term future," Venables said in a statement. "He's extremely disappointed he will miss some game action but is eager to correct the issue and move forward. As he is with everything, we know he will be aggressive with his rehabilitation and work to return to the field as quickly as possible."

The Sooners are off this week before hosting Kent State on Oct. 4, then it's the Red River Rivalry against the Texas Longhorns. That means the Sooners could be without their starting quarterback against Texas. OU plays at South Carolina the next week on Oct. 18.

Pete Nakos of On3 reported that "there's some hope" Mateer could play in the Red River Rivalry, but "the recovery process will be critical," so that doesn't seem likely.

Sophomore Michael Hawkins Jr. will start for the Sooners while Mateer is sidelined. Hawkins made his second career start as a freshman at last year's Red River Rivalry after taking the job from Jackson Arnold, who eventually won it back.

"We have all the confidence in the world in Michael and are excited for his opportunity to lead our offense while John recovers," Venables said. "He had some big moments for us last season as a true freshman and has just gotten better and better. I'm proud of the work Michael's put in and the progress he's made, and know he will attack this opportunity to help lead our football team."

Even after suffering the injury in the first quarter, Mateer still led the Sooners on a game-winning drive against Auburn that was capped with his nine-yard touchdown run.

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