The Oklahoma Sooners won't be 100% against the Michigan Wolverines, but consider them at about 95%.
The No. 11 Sooners will take on Michigan at 11 a.m. CT Saturday in Ann Arbor, at least healthier than they were last week for their 51-0 season-opening win over UTEP in Norman. The plan was to sit a few key players who might have been able to go if really needed, with the ultimate goal of being the best version for the Wolverines, and for the most part, mission accomplished.
Here is OU's injury report for its Week 2 matchup with Michigan, which includes who has to fill in because of the injuries and will be updated until kickoff, just in case something changes.
C Jake Maikkula: AVAILABLE
Starting center Jake Maikkula was the Sooners' biggest offseason blow, but now he's back even sooner than expected. Maikkula's initial time frame for a return was 4-6 weeks, and Saturday will be exactly four weeks since he sprained his MCL during a fall camp scrimmage.
At the time, Maikkula returning for Michigan seemed unlikely, but then he returned to practice last week to make it feel possible before Thamel confirmed his return on Friday.
Sources: Oklahoma starting center Jake Maikkula (knee) will return and start for the Sooners at center at Michigan this week. His return means that true freshman Noah Best, who started last week at center, will kick over right guard. Starting LT Michale Fasusi (shoulder) will… pic.twitter.com/gSfdDTAwlE
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) September 11, 2026
Maikkula started 10 games at center last year after transferring from Stanford and had even higher expectations for 2026.
OL Ryan Fodje: AVAILABLE
After originally being Jake Maikkula's replacement at center, Ryan Fodje then also injured his knee during a practice the same week as the opener. An MRI came back negative, though, so the Sooners just held Fodje out last week out of precaution to ensure he was ready this week.
Fodje is one of the Sooners' most versatile players on the roster. He started six games last season as a freshman between right tackle and right guard. He was expected to be at right guard again in 2026, but then spent a lot of the preseason at center and left tackle because of injuries to teammates.
Replacement: Since Fodje is replacing the injured Michael Fasusi at left tackle, freshman Noah Best will likely fill in at right guard. Best made his collegiate debut last week as the first true freshman since Ty Darlington in 2012 to start at center for the Sooners. He also lined up at both guard spots during the game, proving he might already be even more versatile than Fodje while starting at his second position in just his second career game.
OL Michael Fasusi: OUT
Starting left tackle Michael Fasusi will be the only regular starter the Sooners will be missing on Saturday. He dealt with a shoulder injury throughout fall camp, then aggravated it in the first quarter against UTEP.
ESPN's Pete Thamel broke the expected news on Friday that Fasusi will be sidelined for at least Week 2. He also added that Fasusi is considered "week-to-week." The Sooners won't really need Fasusi next week against New Mexico at home, but he will be vital the next week, when OU travels to play No. 2 Georgia. The Sooners then have a bye week before the Red River Rivalry.
Replacement: While Fasusi was sidelined during fall camp, fellow sophomore Ryan Fodje filled in at left tackle. Thankfully, Fodje is healthy again and can also replace Fasusi for at least one game.
RB Tory Blaylock: PROBABLE
A hamstring issue hindered running back Tory Blaylock throughout fall camp and sidelined him for the opener, but it looks like he will make his season debut on Saturday and re-enter what has become a crowded backfield. There's no availability report since it's not an SEC game, but you can consider Blaylock probable if there had to be a label.
Blaylock led the Sooners with 480 rushing yards last season as a freshman while being a 1-2 punch with Xavier Robinson. Despite leading the way last year, though, Blaylock has slipped down the depth chart as others have impressed during his offseason absence because of injury.
Don't expect Blaylock to immediately take over, especially in such a big-time contest, but this will be his first opportunity to impress in a game for new running backs coach Deland McCullough. It will mostly be Blaylock easing back into things on Saturday, though.
Colorado State transfer Lloyd Avant and Robinson will still likely be RB1 and RB2, respectively, unless Blaylock forces a shift later on down the road. Freshman Jonathan Hatton Jr. will also compete with Blaylock for some carries.
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