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Owen Heinecke injury update: LB left game vs Auburn in first quarter

Heinecke has been a breakout star.
Dekota Gregory
Dekota Gregory

Stormin in Norman

BRYAN TERRY/THE OKLAHOMAN / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Oklahoma Sooners linebacker Owen Heinecke, who had been a breakout star through three games, left the game against Auburn in the second quarter on Saturday.

Heinecke went to the injury tent on OU's sideline after chasing down Auburn quarterback Jackson Arnold for a sack late in the first quarter.

Sooners LB Owen Heinecke injury update

Reporting from the sideline, Gabe Ikard said on the radio that Heinecke's thumb was bleeding. Chris Plank then said on the radio that Heinecke went back to the locker room to likely get stitches in his thumb, so apparently the cut was deep. He has not returned to the game since.

Heinecke eventually returned with a cast on his left hand and finished the game.

Heinecke had already made an impact against Auburn with a tackle, sack and tackle for loss. He's a had a breakout season so far as a former walk-on.

The last time the Sooners were at home against Michigan two weeks ago, Heinecke led OU with seven tackles, plus a tackle for loss and pass breakup in the win. Heinecke, a redshirt junior, has 12 tackles, three tackles for loss, three pass breakups and a sack in total this season as a backup linebacker.

Without Heinecke, Kip Lewis will have to take a lot more snaps.

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Dekota Gregory

Dekota Gregory

Dekota is the editor of Stormin' In Norman, FanSided's OU site. His time as a sports writer began with writing about Sam Bradford and the Sooners in a three-ring notebook. He then officially got into the business as a high schooler and has been at it ever since over a decade later, with his byline appearing in Sooners on SI, SB Nation, Dallas Morning News, Tulsa World and more. He's also a fan of the OKC Thunder, St. Louis Cardinals and New Orleans Saints. When Dekota's not working, he's spending time with his wife and 4-year-old son, and planning trips to Disney.