Oklahoma’s first availability report of the 2026 season didn’t waste any time delivering bad news.
By Wednesday evening, the Sooners already knew they’ll be down at least five players for Saturday’s trip to face No. 2 Georgia, and four of those absences come from the starting lineup. The list ruled out linebacker Taylor Heim, wide receiver Trell Harris, linebacker Cole Sullivan, safety Michael Boganowski and left tackle Michael Fasusi.
Heim has not played in a game yet in 2026, but the other four are regular starters when healthy. All five were also out last week in Oklahoma’s 14-6 win over New Mexico.
There was at least a little encouragement buried in the report. Linebacker Kip Lewis was listed as probable, which signals a 75% chance he plays against the Bulldogs. Lewis hurt his knee on Michigan’s first possession in Oklahoma’s 17-10 loss to the Wolverines in Week 2 and sat out last week.
Defensive tackle David Stone landed on questionable, which lines up with what Brent Venables said during Tuesday’s weekly press conference and with the latest injury buzz around him. A questionable designation gives a player a 50% shot to suit up.
Stone has been the main worry for Sooners fans after he dislocated his left kneecap in practice Monday. The early word made it sound as if his season could be in jeopardy, so even a questionable tag is a lot better than the first fears.
News 9 reporter Toby Rowland, who also handles the radio call for OU football, said Tuesday night that Stone is “pushing to play this week.” Venables also said X-Rays came back positive and that Stone’s pain level was a two on a scale from one to 10. He added that the availability report would be updated, and reporters could put that news on their "pay sites," so here we are putting it on our free site.
That’s the bright side. The rest of the picture is pretty bleak.
Oklahoma’s offense has been dormant, which means the Sooners are once again asking the defense to carry the load. That assignment gets a lot tougher against a Georgia attack that leads all of FBS in scoring and is averaging 59.3 points through three games.
There is at least one reason to think Saturday won’t be a cakewalk for the Bulldogs, either. Georgia has rolled through Tennessee State, Western Kentucky and Arkansas, so this is the first real test for that offense. Bulldogs star running back Nate Frazier was also listed as questionable, and if he can’t go, that could help narrow the gap a bit against an OU run defense already dealing with injury issues.
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Oklahoma Heads To Georgia With A Depth Chart Problem Nobody Wanted
Oklahoma heads into its SEC opener against Georgia already dealing with a depth chart that has been shaken in several places, the kind of timing nobody wants when the competition level is about to spike. Five players have been ruled out and another is questionable, forcing the Sooners to reshuffle the lineup across both sides of the ball and lean on replacements sooner than planned.
The changes reach into some of the most important spots on the field, including quarterback, running back, wide receiver, offensive line and defensive tackle, which is a tough combination to absorb in a single week. With starters expected to be replaced and several players projected to move into bigger roles, Oklahoma is trying to stabilize itself before taking on a Georgia team that will make any weakness in continuity hard to hide. [Read more 🡒]
Reggie Powers III Is Giving Oklahoma Real Confidence Before Georgia
Reggie Powers III gave Oklahoma another reason to feel good about its defense in the win over New Mexico, turning a missed tackle into a third-quarter sack that helped swing momentum back the Sooners way. It was the kind of play that showed why Powers has settled in so quickly to his new starting role, with the defensive back already ranking near the top of the team in several key categories through three games.
Oklahomas defense has opened SEC play on a strong note, leading the conference in scoring defense and passing defense after three weeks, and Powers has become part of the reason for that confidence. With Georgia next, he stressed the need for the whole unit to keep working together, which is exactly the sort of message a young starter can amplify when the schedule gets tougher. [Read more 🡒]
Ben Arbuckle Faces His Biggest Oklahoma Test Yet At Georgia
Oklahoma is heading into its toughest offensive proving ground yet, and Ben Arbuckle knows the challenge comes with extra pressure. The Sooners have struggled to find consistency on that side of the ball, and the trip to No. 2 Georgia arrives with the kind of spotlight that can expose every weak spot. For Arbuckle, the assignment is less about chasing a perfect game plan and more about finding a way to put his players in positions where they can settle in and play with confidence.
The line news only adds to the difficulty. Starting left tackle Michael Fasusi has been ruled out, leaving Ryan Fodje in line to step in, while freshman Noah Best is set to return to the lineup. Against a defense like Georgia's, the Sooners need cleaner execution and better comfort up front, and Arbuckle's emphasis on leaning into players' strengths will be tested from the opening drive onward. [Read more 🡒]