At least the Oklahoma Sooners' injury report isn't as scary as the Oklahoma City Thunder's this Halloween.
Sports fans in the state of Oklahoma are used to bad injury updates at this point, but that doesn't make them any easier to deal with. The Sooners once again have a lengthy list of injured players, and this week is mostly made up of unknowns along the offensive line and in the secondary.
Here is OU's injury report for its Week 9 matchup against South Carolina, which includes who has to fill in because of the injuries, and will be updated until kickoff as more news comes in.
OL Eddy Pierre-Louis: OUT
Offensive lineman Eddy Pierre-Louis will be out for the fourth week in a row after starting at left guard the first three games of the season. Although it appears Pierre-Louis has lost his starting job, he would still be a valuable depth piece, especially when it feels like OU loses another big man each week.
Replacement: Pierre-Louis might still be sidelined, but the Sooners at least get Heath Ozaeta back this week to bolster the guard position. Freshman Noah Best will start there, as long as he's not needed at center, while Ozaeta or Peyton Joseph will man the other side.
OL Ryan Fodje: OUT
This will be the second week without Ryan Fodje, who can play anywhere along the offensive line. He replaced Michael Fasusi at left tackle while he was out, but right when Fasusi returned and Fodje could go back to guard or right tackle, Fodje was injured himself.
Replacement: We're still not sure where Fodje would go with Fasusi healthy again. He could replace E’Marion Harris at right tackle or go to his expected role at right guard, where Ozaeta and Joseph get more snaps with him out. Regardless, someone who would be on the bench has to step up as a starter.
OL Jake Maikkula: QUESTIONABLE
Starting center Jake Maikkula is the Sooners' greatest concern after getting injured in the second half against Mississippi State last week and never returning. He missed Week 1, but UTEP is obviously nowhere close to the same challenge as South Carolina.
Replacement: Western Kentucky transfer Caleb Nitta replaced Maikkula last week and actually held his own in the most action he's seen as a Sooner. Fodje would usually be the backup center, and Best started there the last time Maikkula was out, but Nitta should have impressed enough last week to get his first start at OU if Maikkula can't go.
CB Eli Bowen: DOUBTFUL
Starting cornerback Eli Bowen has been on the injury report for the last four weeks, and although there's a chance he returns in Week 9, it's a small one.
Replacement: Sophomore Trystan Haynes has stepped up in a big way while Bowen has been out.
S Peyton Bowen: PROBABLE
Strong safety Peyton Bowen has joined his brother on the injury report, but his chances of playing this week are much higher after getting banged up in the fourth quarter against Mississippi State. Peyton is one of the best defensive backs in college football as a Jim Thorpe Award semifinalist.
Replacement: If Bowen happens to take a step back and needs a replacement, it could be Michael Boganowski cracking the starting lineup again after losing his job at free safety to Omarion Robinson.
Other OU players out
LB Taylor Heim
WR Trell Harris
TE Trynae Washington
CB Jacobe Johnson
CB Dakoda Fields
WR Elijah Thomas
LB Cole Sullivan
OL Fred Hinton
South Carolina injury report
WR Jayden Sellers: out
EDGE Kobby Sakyi-Prah: out
OL Josiah Thompson: out
OL Dayne Arnett: out
OL Seth Smith: out
DB Quay'sheed Scott: out
RB Jawarn Howell: out
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