The Oklahoma Sooners had almost an entire offensive line on the initial availability report that was released on Wednesday ahead of hosting No. 15 Kentucky on Saturday.
Four OU linemen were listed as questionable on the report, including Michael Fasusi, Eddy Pierre-Louis, Heath Ozaeta, and Fred Hinton. That looks like nothing but trouble for the Sooners, but there are actually some positive updates between the lines of that lengthy list.
Other players on the report included running back Xavier Robinson, tight end Trynae Washington, and cornerback Jacobson as out; wide receiver Parker Livingstone and cornerback Eli Bowen as questionable; and running back Tory Blaylock and tight end Jack Van Dorselaer as probable.
Initial availability report ahead of Oklahoma vs. Kentucky: pic.twitter.com/ykGMzQ9Cpf
— Stormin In Norman (@StorminInNorman) October 15, 2026
The most promising update from the report was Fasusi, OU’s starting left tackle, being questionable. It feels like he’s closer than ever for a return. He was listed as doubtful most of last week before missing his fourth game in a row since injuring his shoulder in the first quarter of the Sooners’ season opener.
Fasusi getting upgraded to questionable, compared to being doubtful this time last week, plus OU head coach Brent Venables’ update on Tuesday, make it seem like he’ll return sooner rather than later.
“He’s just about ready,” Venables said. “I’m excited, everybody’s excited to get another really good player back. He’s worked relentlessly. He’s in great shape. I think you saw him in pregame, amped up and ready to go.
“But he’s got to clear another hurdle or so here in the next few days to get him back going. He’s an important part of our guys up front. But he’s done a great job from a leadership standpoint. Nobody misses being out there with his teammates more than Mike.”
Michael Fasusi returning could suddenly give Bill Bedenbaugh best options to build successful offensive line
Pierre-Louis was also sidelined last week against Texas. Ozaeta and freshman Noah Best started at the guard spots in Pierre-Louis’ absence, but Ozaeta was hurt during warmups before playing almost every offensive snap of the upset.
Best played every single snap, showing he might have a starting job secured no matter who’s healthy or not. Ozaeta had also started over Pierre-Louis against Georgia.
If all questionable linemen are healthy come Saturday, the one guarantee is that Fasusi will slot right back in at left tackle, with Jake Maikkula still manning center. How offensive line coach Bill Bedenbaugh organizes the rest of the line could be anyone’s guess.
Ryan Fodje has been filling in at left tackle for Fasusi. Fodje’s usual spot, though, is right guard, but he hasn’t played there yet this season since he’s been filling Fasusi’s void. Even if Fasusi is back, Fodje has proven he’s a more serviceable tackle than E’Marion Harris, who has been starting on the right side.
If Fodje stays at tackle, Bedenbaugh still suddenly has three viable options at guard if his entire group is healthy. And that’s been a big if.
Best and Ozaeta swapped sides last game, with Best on the left and Ozaeta on the right. Despite facing the best defensive front it has all season, the offensive line looked the best it has all year in the second half against Texas.
If it ain’t broke, then don’t fix it, so even if Pierre-Louis is healthy, he could still be a depth piece to leave Best and Ozaeta as the starters. If Harris keeps his starting role at right tackle, then Fodje would likely start over Ozaeta.
Regardless, Bedenbaugh would finally get to decide who starts where, instead of who has to start where because options are limited. First things first, though, the big guys have to get healthy, but it seems more promising than it has in weeks that Fasusi will be back out there to complete the O-line.
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