Oklahoma’s offensive line is still dealing with shuffling pieces heading into Saturday’s matchup with Mississippi State, and two more blockers are officially unavailable.
Ryan Fodje, who has been filling in at left tackle for Michael Fasusi, was ruled out on the week’s first SEC availability report after exiting Saturday’s game against Kentucky with a right lower-leg injury. Fellow offensive lineman Eddy Pierre-Louis is also out.
Fasusi is listed as questionable, along with interior lineman Heath Ozaeta. Fasusi has not played since the season opener against UTEP, when he saw 17 offensive snaps. He entered last week as questionable as well, but he did not play against the Wildcats.
Oklahoma also has several skill-position players on the report. Receivers Parker Livingstone and Elijah Thomas are questionable, as are running backs Tory Blaylock and Xavier Robinson. Robinson has already missed the last two games, so his status moving from out to questionable at least suggests some progress, even if it does not guarantee a return on Saturday.
Livingstone was out against Kentucky, and in his absence, sophomore Manny Choice stepped in and delivered a career day.
Cornerback Eli Bowen is once again listed as questionable. He has been sidelined since getting hurt before the Texas game, while sophomore Trystan Haynes has handled the fill-in duty well.
Also ruled out for Oklahoma are receiver Trell Harris, linebacker Taylor Heim, defensive back Jacobe Johnson and tight end Trynae Washington.
Mississippi State has its own uncertainty to manage. Starting quarterback Kamario Taylor is questionable, as is running back Fluff Bothwell. Both were out for last week’s 31-0 loss to LSU.
If Taylor cannot go, sophomore Parker Puckett is expected to get the start again. Against LSU, Puckett completed 16 of 26 passes for 121 yards and an interception, and he added 40 rushing yards on 11 carries.
Oklahoma availability report: Questionable: OL Heath Ozaeta, OL Michael Fasusi, DB Eli Bowen, RB Xavier Robinson, RB Tory Blaylock, WR Parker Livingston, WR Elijah Thomas. Out: LB Taylor Heim, WR Trell Harris, TE Trynae Washington, DB Jacobe Johnson, OL Eddy Pierre-Louis, OL Ryan Fodje.
Mississippi State availability report: Questionable: QB Kamario Taylor, DB Issac Smith, LB Zakari Tillman, RB Fluff Bothwell, OL DJ Chester. Out: LB Jalen Smith, WR Ayden Williams, DL Trevion Williams, DL Diesel Moye.
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Oklahoma Heads Into A True Gut Check With Key Spots Under Pressure
Oklahoma heads into Week 8 with the kind of injury uncertainty that can quickly reshape a game plan, especially on offense. The Sooners are getting ready for Mississippi State while trying to navigate a battered front and keep enough stability around key pieces like Jake Maikkula, Noah Best and E'Marion Harris, a group whose availability could matter just as much as production this week.
There are still a few names worth tracking beyond the offensive line, starting with Manny Choice after his strong showing last week and Jonathan Hatton Jr. in the backfield, while Trystan Haynes remains part of the defensive equation. For Oklahoma, the challenge is less about the matchup on paper than whether the roster can hold together long enough to turn recent frustration into a needed response. [Read more 🡒]
Oklahoma Has A Few Players Who Must Deliver In Starkville
Oklahoma heads to Starkville dealing with some familiar early-season uncertainty up front, and that makes the margin for error a little thinner than usual. With injuries on the offensive line complicating the Sooners preparation, the emphasis shifts quickly from comfort to survival, especially against a Mississippi State defense that will be looking to make the visitors work for everything.
On the other side, the Bulldogs bring their own question mark in the status of starting quarterback Kamario Taylor, which adds another layer to a game already full of moving parts. For Oklahoma, the bigger issue may be whether the right players can steady the offense while the defense does its part against a Mississippi State attack that has its own tendencies to sort through before kickoff. [Read more 🡒]
OU Faces A Huge Defensive Question Heading Into Mississippi State
Brent Venables is planning for the kind of week that keeps defensive staffs up late. As Oklahoma gets ready for Mississippi State, the Sooners are preparing as if quarterback Kamario Taylor will be available, even though his recent injuries have left his status in question. Taylor has been central to the Bulldogs' offense and entered the matchup leading the SEC in passing yards and touchdowns, which makes his availability a major issue for an Oklahoma defense trying to sort out its game plan.
Mississippi State coach Jeff Lebby has called Taylor day-to-day, and backup Billy Puckett stepped in to start last week when Taylor was out. For the Sooners, the challenge is less about who gets the first snap and more about being ready for both versions of the offense on short notice. With an SEC matchup looming, Oklahoma has to account for Taylor's explosiveness without losing sight of the possibility that Puckett could again be the one under center. [Read more 🡒]