Oklahoma State could be getting a few useful pieces back at just the right time for Saturday’s matchup with West Virginia, and Eric Morris spent Thursday’s radio show laying out where things stand.
The biggest update centered on offensive guard Joseph Hanson, who Morris said is “back.” Hanson had been listed as questionable on the Cowboys’ first player availability report, but Morris sounded encouraged by what he’s seen from him this week.
"Experience, maturity," Morris said of Hanson. "This is his fourth year as a starter.
He was a three year starter at Coastal [Carolina]. He doesn't have the length to be a tackle but the maturity he brings is great."
Hanson left the Oregon game with an injury and logged only 31 snaps before sitting out last week against Murray State. After that game, Morris said he hoped to have Hanson back for this week, and on Tuesday he said Hanson was trending the right direction to play.
If Hanson is good to go, the Cowboys can slide him back into the right guard spot he claimed coming out of fall camp. Morris praised how quickly he picked up the offense during camp, and a healthy Hanson also changes the dominoes next to him.
Last week, with Hanson out, Johnny Dickson III started at right guard and Desmond Magiya opened at left guard. With Hanson available, Dickson moves back to left guard.
One wrinkle: Dickson was listed as questionable on Wednesday’s availability report.
Morris also delivered a surprise update on tight end Oscar Hammond, who did not appear on Wednesday’s report at all. Hammond was with Morris at North Texas, and the coach said he is “ready to play.”
"Super-excited to get him back," Morris said. "By far our most athletic tight end.
Somebody you can use in the passing game. He's our best route-runner and pass-catcher at tight end."
Hammond has been working back from an injury that has kept him out in 2025, and while he’s been sidelined Carson Kolb has taken over the starting role. Kolb has three catches, including two touchdowns, while Morgan McPhaul has settled in as the top backup.
If Hammond is active Saturday, there’s no need to rush him. He could contribute on special teams right away, and Morris said he has enough mental reps in the offense to be used on offense as well.
The last update involved offensive tackle Brayden Nelson, who was listed as questionable on the first availability report. A couple of weeks ago, Morris said the Cowboys were aiming for Nelson to return for the UCF game on Oct. 10 as he continues recovering from offseason knee surgery.
On Thursday, Morris said the staff will check everything Friday morning before the team leaves for Morgantown. When asked if Nelson could play, Morris said, "I don't know."
"He practiced the whole week and did everything with us," Morris said. Morris also said Nelson ran with the second team this week.
Nelson probably won’t jump into the starting lineup ahead of left tackle Shaun Torgeson, who has been excellent since taking over for the injured Jacob Sexton in Week 2. But with Oklahoma State thin at tackle, having Nelson available would still be a meaningful lift if the Cowboys need him on Saturday night.
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For the Cowboys, the concern is not just a quarterback who can extend plays, but an offense built to lean into that versatility and keep a defense guessing snap after snap. Morris and his staff are facing the sort of early conference problem that can force a team to rethink how it fits against the run and how much help it needs up front. Against West Virginia, Oklahoma State will find out quickly whether its front can survive the stress Hawkins puts on it. [Read more 🡒]