Georgia’s meeting with Oklahoma is already tilting toward a game of attrition.
ESPN’s Pete Thamel reported Wednesday afternoon that Sooners starting left tackle Michael Fasusi “faces long odds to play at No. 2 Georgia this weekend.” That would be a major blow for Oklahoma, which is already sorting through uncertainty around defensive standout David Stone.
Stone missed practice Monday after Brent Venables said he suffered a knee injury.
"He ran his knee into a scout-team player during a jog-through, and it kind of popped out," Venables said Tuesday. "We'll see where he's at.
The X-rays were positive, I guess, in reporting the news, so that's all I'm doing - reporting the news. But he said his pain was about a two out of 10 right now, so we'll kind of go from there.”
Kirby Smart also addressed Stone earlier this week, calling him “a leader” on the Sooners’ defense and saying he has “much respect for him.” Whether Stone is available Saturday remains unclear, and Venables said Oklahoma would need others to fill the void if he cannot go.
"If David is unavailable this week we're going to need some guys to step up and play big and play with heavy hands and great pad level and striking people," he told reporters. "You just got to go do it. There's some signs that guys are getting better.”
The SEC’s weekly availability report is also part of the picture. Each of the league’s 16 teams must submit a SEC Student-Athlete Availability Report every Wednesday night before conference games, though the report was delayed a week ago. When it was released, LSU QB Sam Leavitt was listed as doubtful before he ended up playing in LSU’s loss to Ole Miss.
Georgia, meanwhile, is dealing with an issue of its own up front. Center Drew Bobo is expected to play this weekend with a club still on his left hand, though Smart said Monday that he should be out of it soon.
“He's playing with an injury that's been significant,” Smart told reporters Monday. “I know he's excited he'll be out of the club this week, so he's clear to get out of that.
Thamel added that Fasusi’s absence would be a significant setback for Oklahoma.
“He’s Oklahoma’s top offensive linemen, and he’s only played limited snaps in the first half of the opener against UTEP,” Thamel wrote. “He’s dealing with a shoulder injury that cost him the last two games. He's Oklahoma’s best offensive lineman.”
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