ATHENS - Oklahoma may be headed into Saturday’s showdown at No. 2 Georgia without one of the key pieces of its defense.
Sooners All-American defensive tackle David Stone suffered a “lower-body” injury in Monday’s practice, according to multiple reports, including SoonerScoop, Sooners on SI and ESPN. ESPN’s Pete Thamel reported that Stone is set for an MRI to learn the full extent of the injury, while Sooners on SI said the issue involves Stone’s left kneecap and raised the possibility that it could end his season.
That’s a significant development for an Oklahoma defense that has been built around Stone’s presence up front through the first three games. The Sooners are 2-1 and lead the SEC in fewest points allowed, pass yards allowed and third-down conversion rate.
If Stone’s injury turns out to be as serious as feared, fifth-year senior Braxton Fely would be one of the main options to step into the void. Fely transferred from Boise State after starting 14 games for the Broncos last season, when he posted 5.5 sacks, 6.5 tackles for loss and five quarterback hurries.
Stone’s status matters because Georgia’s offense has been rolling. The Bulldogs lead the SEC in scoring at 59.3 points per game, yards per play at 8.69, rushing yards per carry at 7.31 and third-down conversion rate at 62.1%. The matchup is set for 3:30 p.m.
Stone, a 6-foot-3, 315-pounder, put together a career-best performance in Oklahoma’s 14-6 win over New Mexico on Saturday. He finished with eight tackles, including two tackles for loss, and he was also in on a sack.
The former 5-star recruit arrived in Norman in 2024 and played in all 13 games as a freshman. He followed that with a breakout season last year, finishing with 42 tackles, eight tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks for an Oklahoma defense that led the SEC.
Georgia coach Kirby Smart, who doesn’t usually go out of his way to praise opposing players outside the quarterback spot, made a point to highlight Stone and the Sooners’ defense on Monday.
“I’ve got much respect for him and all of them,” Smart said at his Monday press conference. “To be honest with you, there’s not a guy on their defense that comes in - and they rotate guys - that doesn’t play with great pad level and great effort.
“When you turn on the tape, they run to the ball like they’re in elite shape. They don’t get tired.
They strike. They knock back.
They get off blocks, and (Stone) is the leader of that, but they all do.”
Smart also emphasized the overall tone and discipline of Brent Venables’ defense.
“The way they go about their business, they are violent, they play hard, they play with a purpose, hey are very intelligent,” Smart said. “They know what they’re doing as well as you know what you’re doing.
They do a great job of formationing things and understanding what your tendencies are. They play really hard.
“When you get good talented players playing with fundamentals, they don’t get blocked. They might get blocked, but they don’t stay blocked.
They get off blocks. They’re hard to block.”
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