Oklahoma vs. New Mexico injury report: Who's out and who has to step up for the Sooners

The Oklahoma Sooners might not need to be at full-strength to beat New Mexico, which is a good thing, considering they're definitely not.

The No. 24 Sooners host the 2-0 Lobos at 6:30 p.m. CT Saturday in Norman while looking to bounce back from a loss to Michigan last week. For the third week in a row, Oklahoma again has a list of players it will be without.

Here is OU's injury report for its Week 3 matchup with New Mexico, which includes who has to fill in because of the injuries, and will be updated until kickoff just in case something changes.

S Michael Boganowski: OUT

Starting free safety Michael Boganowski was nowhere to be found during pregame warm-ups, according to Sooner on SI's Ryan Chapman. He's totaled six tackles while starting the first two games of the season.

Replacement: Sophomore Omarion Robinson is listed as the backup at both safety spots and will make his first career start on Saturday night. A freshman like Niko Jandreau or Markel Ford could also get more action, especially if the game gets out of hand.

OL Michael Fasusi: OUT

We're heading into Week 3, and the Sooners still haven't had a fully healthy offensive line yet.

Starting left tackle Michael Fasusi will be out again against New Mexico after also being sidelined last week with a shoulder injury. He's expected to return for the Sooners' trip to No. 2 Georgia next week, and hopefully then, OU is 100% up front for the first time in 2026.

Replacement: The offensive line should look the same as last week against Michigan, which really didn't go well. Ryan Fodje will move from his usual spot at right guard to left tackle to fill in for Fasusi. That will have freshman Noah Best in the starting lineup at right guard. Best has started every game of his brief career so far, with his debut coming at center.

The rest of the O-line will include Eddy Pierre-Louis at left guard, Jake Maikkula at center and E'Marion Harris at right tackle.

WR Trell Harris: OUT

Even if wide receiver Trell Harris is listed as out for the rest of the season, he still deserves all the respect from Sooner Nation. He took a massive hit against Michigan and still returned before ending up in the hospital a few hours later with a laceration to one of his major internal organs, according to Sooners on SI.

Venables announced this week that Harris will be out "for the foreseeable future," and it's unknown if he'll be back at all in 2026. This is Harris' first season at OU after transferring from Virginia, where he was Third-Team All-ACC in 2025.

Replacement: When Venables gave the update about Harris, he later also specifically mentioned sophomore Elijah Thomas as a player who needs to step up while Harris is out.

Fans have been waiting for Thomas to break out ever since he signed in 2025 as a freak athlete from in-state Checotah High School. Thomas caught one 24-yard pass in Week 1, but didn't record a stat against Michigan.

Washington State transfer Mackenzie Alleyne could also be someone who gets more time. He caught a touchdown last week after Venables suggested mid-game that he get more looks.

WR Jer'Michael Carter: OUT

Jer'Michael Carter did not participate in warm-ups to give the Sooners a second absent wide receiver against New Mexico. This loss will barely be noticed, though, as Carter hasn't recorded a stat yet this season. He's listed as the third-string at the X spot behind Parker Livingstone and Elijah Thomas.

Replacement: This is even more of a reason for Elijah Thomas to get more time on the field and post a breakout game.

RB Jonathan Hatton Jr.: AVAILABLE

Freshman running back Jonathan Hatton Jr. didn't touch the field against Michigan, but Venables later revealed that Hatton was banged up throughout the week and missed some practice. He's healthy again, and so is sophomore Tory Blaylock, so the Sooners' backfield should be 100%.

Neither has done much this season, but Blaylock was the Sooners' leading rusher last year, and Hatton turned a lot of heads during fall camp.

LB Kip Lewis: OUT

Linebacker Kip Lewis is the Sooners' biggest blow so far this year after suffering a non-contact injury during Michigan's first possession last week. Venables did not sound optimistic after the game, but then updated on Monday that, "We got some good news there. He’ll be back sooner than maybe we initially thought, so that’s awesome.”

The timeline is still murky, but it's at least known that Lewis will be out against New Mexico. He's the heartbeat of the Sooners' defense and led OU with 76 total tackles in 2025.

Replacement: Junior James Nesta is expected to make his first career start against New Mexico to fill in for Lewis. He appeared in every game last season, but mostly on special teams, with this season being his first with consistent playing time on defense.

Owen Heinecke will also have to step up and pick up some slack while Lewis is on the sidelines. Heinecke tallied a team-high 10 tackles last week with Lewis out most of the game.

LB Cole Sullivan: OUT

Kip Lewis won't be the only linebacker the Sooners will be missing on Saturday night. Michigan transfer Cole Sullivan, who also plays cheetah, was a surprise addition to the injured list this week and is not expected to play against New Mexico, per SoonerScoop's George Stoia. He was at least suited up, but did not participate in warm-ups.

Replacement: No Lewis or Sullivan should open up more opportunity for freshman Dane Bathurt, who impressed in little time in Week 1. The Sooners also recently added Stephen F. Austin transfer Jaydon Southard as part of their midseason 5-in-5 additions. A matchup against New Mexico is a good time for both to get experience before becoming needed depth pieces in SEC play.

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