Thursday injury report leaves Oklahoma fans with more questions than answers before Mississippi State

Maybe no news is good news? Just based on recent history, though, Oklahoma fans should brace for the worst. 

OU fans didn’t get the kind of injury update they were hoping for when Thursday’s SEC availability report came out ahead of the Sooners’ trip to Mississippi State on Saturday. In fact, there was barely any kind of update at all. 

The only changes from Wednesday to Thursday were running back Xavier Robinson being downgraded to doubtful, and wide receiver Parker Livingstone and running back Tory Blaylock being upgraded to probable. 

The Sooners’ biggest injury question marks for Week 8 are left tackle Michael Fasusi, guard Heath Ozaeta, cornerback Eli Bowen, and wide receiver Elijah Thomas. All four were listed as questionable again on Thursday, just as they were on the initial report on Wednesday. 

The greatest concern of all, though, isn't even on the Sooners' roster. Mississippi State quarterback Kamario Taylor was listed as questionable again, leaving it still a mystery whether he'll play on Saturday or miss his second straight game with turf toe. According to On3's Pete Nakos and Chris Low, "there is more optimism than a week ago that he will be able to play." Nakos said that Taylor has been able to do more in practice this week.

Kamario Taylor and OU offensive linemen injury updates leave OU-MSU matchup a massive question mark

Taylor's status really does decide what level of challenge the Sooners have on their hands this weekend. He has emerged as a Heisman Trophy contender, and it was made clear last week that the Bulldogs are a completely different team without him. Now, fans have to decide whether they would rather see OU get an easier win or get the satisfaction of playing the Bulldogs at full-strength.

LSU shut out Mississippi State 31-0 last weekend, with Taylor on the sidelines and freshman Parker Puckett making his first career start. Going into Week 7 with Taylor in control, the Bulldogs had averaged 39 points per game before getting blanked by LSU. The Sooners have an even better defense than LSU, so the Bulldogs will have a tough time outscoring OU without Taylor, even with all of the Sooners' own offensive struggles.

Those offensive line injuries definitely keep it from getting too lopsided in the Sooners' favor, though. Fasusi is considered OU's best offensive lineman, but he hasn't seen the field since injuring his shoulder in the first quarter of the season opener. Fodje had been filling Fasusi's void, but now obviously that can't happen this week with Fodje already ruled out.

E'Marion Harris has started every game of the season so far at right tackle, so he will likely switch to the left side if neither Fasusi nor Fodje can go. Sophomore Peyton Joseph, who just made his first career start at right guard last week, would likely start again, but this time at tackle.

Being without Pierre-Louis and Ozaeta would also thin out the Sooners at guard and force another inexperienced player to step in an SEC matchup. Freshman Noah Best has started every game of his career so far, but at the other guard spot would likely have to be sophomore Owen Hollenbeck, who has made just one appearance in his career so far.

A glass-half-full optimism would hope that at least one of Fasusi or Ozaeta is healthy enough to play on Saturday, but so far this season, players have been more likely to be downgraded from questionable than upgraded.

We could get a better update on Friday evening, and at this point, whether it's good or bad about OU's linemen or even Taylor, fans would just like to know.

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