Brent Venables provided updates on injuries to offensive linemen Branson Hickman and Jake Taylor, as well as wide receiver Jaquaize Pettaway ahead of Oklahoma’s Week 3 game against Tulane.
NORMAN — Brent Venables isn’t trying to be reticent when it comes to discussing Oklahoma’s injury situation two weeks into the season, but things have been fluid at best on that front for the Sooners as injuries have piled up through two games.
Particularly when it comes to the offensive line and wide receiver room. Venables announced Monday evening that offensive lineman Geirean Hatchett will miss the remainder of the season after undergoing surgery to repair a bicep injury, while wide receiver Nic Anderson is inching closer to his season debut, whether that comes Saturday against Tulane or next week in OU’s SEC opener against Tennessee.
Those aren’t the only injuries the Sooners are dealing with heading into Week 3, as center Branson Hickman and right tackle Jake Taylor are also dealing with injuries. Hickman sprained his ankle 10 plays into the season opener against Temple, while Taylor left in the second quarter of the Houston game with an undisclosed injury. Venables said Tuesday that he’s “hopeful” Taylor will be available this weekend, and he used the same adjective regarding Hickman, who has been progressing in his recovery — even testing out his ankle during pregame warmups last weekend before ultimately being ruled out.
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“He’s a little better yesterday than he was last week, but we’ll see,” Venables said of Hickman. “I’m literally not being evasive. I don’t know. We’re hopeful. We really are. We could use a guy that’s started 35 games in his career. But he’s closer. Not a popular answer, definitely not popular in our offices, I can promise you.
“Try to be the trainer that comes in, and he’s Dr. Death giving us the report every day. He gets challenged pretty good. ‘What does that mean? Is he going today? Is he going to be available this week?’ They don’t know. If anybody else is frustrated as far as who is going to be available this week, you have to get in line.”
It has been the walking wounded for Oklahoma on offense since the preseason. Along with Hatchett, Hickman and Taylor, the Sooners are still awaiting the full return of offensive lineman Troy Everett, who underwent knee surgery in April. Venables also referenced an arm issue that Joshua Bates — who made his first career start last weekend — has been dealing with.
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