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No. 12 Oklahoma has dealt with numerous injuries so far this season, but defensive coordinator Mike Stoops said he expects to have one starter back for the Sooners' matchup with Iowa State.

Outside linebacker Ogbonnia Okoronkwo, who goes by "Obo", reportedly left Texas Tech's Jones AT&T Stadium on a stretcher after the Sooners' 66-59 win on Oct. 22. Okoronkwo missed OU's win over Kansas on Saturday, but is now expected to play vs the Cyclones on Thursday.

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Six OU starters from the season-opening game against Houston were sidelined by different ailments in last Saturday’s 56-3 win over Kansas — Matt Dimon (DE), Tay Evans (LB), Cody Ford (OL), Ogbonnia Okoronkwo (LB), Samaje Perine (RB) and Charles Walker (DE).

Key contributors Michiah Quick (CB) and Matt Romar (DT) also didn’t see action against the Jayhawks, while Rodney Anderson (RB), Daniel Brooks (RB) and Marquise Overton (DT) have suffered season- or career-ending injuries.

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Oklahoma was as short-handed as it has been all season for Saturday’s game against Kansas. The latest blow was freshman defensive end Amani Bledsoe. The backup was “suspended indefinitely” before Saturday’s 56-3 victory.

The Lawrence Journal Record, Bledsoe's hometown paper, reported Saturday night that he tested positive for a performance-enhancing drug. Bledsoe is appealing the test result.

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Over half a dozen Sooners will not play against TCU in today's contest.

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Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops said Monday that starting left guard Jonathan Alvarez and cornerback Zack Sanchez are both doubtful for Saturday's game against Iowa State.

Alvarez was injured in last week's 62-7 win at Kansas. Stoops said after the game that he could have returned to action but coaches didn't want to risk it.

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Trevor Knight will start, Geneo Grissom and Julian Wilson are out and Sterling Shepard is questionable again.

The Oklahoma football team will play Clemson on Dec. 29 in the Russell Athletic Bowl and Knight will get his first start since early November when the Sooners lost to Baylor.

Coach Bob Stoops said Knight will make his first start after missing games against Texas Tech, Kansas and Oklahoma State. Freshman Cody Thomas started the three previous games.

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OU coach Bob Stoops anticipates running back Keith Ford returning to practice this week. Defensive coordinator Mike Stoops said defensive lineman Charles Walker is expected to return from a sprained knee this week, too.

The Sooners have been without Ford for the last four games. He was their leading rusher in the first three games, averaging 5.7 yards per carry and scoring five touchdowns.

Walker hasn’t played since suffering a knee sprain against Tulsa on Sept. 6. (Norman Transcript)

RELATED:

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Defensive end/linebacker Geneo Grissom suffered a sprained MCL and freshman fullback Dimitri Flowers, who had four catches for 40 yards, hyperextended a knee in the second half.

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Sooners coach Bob Stoops announced Tuesday that 11 players, including wide receivers Sterling Shepard and Durron Neal, would miss the game with various injuries.

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Jay Norvell was less sure of the return of linemen Adam Shead and Tyrus Thompson. Shead missed the Kansas State game with a back injury, while Thompson was hurt early in the second half.

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After losing Nelson for the season in the win over TCU, the Sooners' injury problems at linebacker continued Saturday night when Frank Shannon was knocked out in the first quarter and did not return.

Shannon was replaced by freshman Jordan Evans, the second true freshman thrust into significant minutes at linebacker due to injury. Dominique Alexander has replaced Nelson in the lineup.

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Cornerback Aaron Colvin returned to practice Monday after recent injuries.

Colvin missed last week's game after suffering a broken tooth and a possible concussion in the win over West Virginia.

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Oklahoma center Ben Habern announces retirement due to neck/back injuries: Oklahoma football coach Bob Stoops announced today that senior center Ben Habern has decided to retire due to neck and back injuries.

Habern has yet to comment publicly on his decision to retire, but he seemed optimisitc about his health at Big 12 media days last week.

“I’m back and healthy,” Habern said July 23. “I’ve had a great summer of getting back into shape and putting some muscle mass back on me. I’m honestly just ready to start playing right now.” (OUDaily)

Coach Stoops' statement regarding Ben Habern:

"Our coaching staff knows this was a difficult decision for Ben," Stoops said. "Ben has been a consummate leader for our team, both on and off the field. We appreciate the toughness that Ben has displayed, and we wish him the very best as he completes his education at OU."

 

Related News:
OL Dylan Dismuke Suffers Career-ending Injury

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Starter Casey Walker to wear a cast in season opener: Defensive tackle Casey Walker, who broke a bone in his right hand above his ring finger during the last practice of two-a-days, will wear a protective padded cast Saturday. "It'll be like a real big club," Walker said. As a defensive lineman, Walker doesn't foresee the cast being much of a hindrance. (The Oklahoman)

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Tom Wort plans to wear brace as precaution: OU middle linebacker Tom Wort is wearing a brace to protect the right knee he injured a little over a year ago. "Honestly, I was kind of worried at the start that it would be kind of restricting," he said, "but I've really not noticed it all since I've been wearing it. I'll wear it during the season, not because I feel like I need to, but just as a precaution." Ryan Reynolds, the middle linebacker Wort will be attempting to replace, wore braces to protect his own injured knees at OU. "I talked to Ryan about it. He said he hated it," Wort said. "But it's not been a problem for me at all." (Tulsa World)

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Is Bradford's collegiate career over? Last year's Heisman Trophy winner, Bradford reinjured his right throwing shoulder in the second series of a 16-13 loss to Texas , likely ending his season and possibly his college career. "I really can't answer that," Bradford said when asked if he played in his last Oklahoma-Texas game. "I'm not sure. I'll have to make that decision at the end of this year." (SportingNews)

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Stoops: Simmons Out; Broyles may play against Texas: Starting left guard Brian Simmons will miss No. 20 Oklahoma's game against third-ranked Texas this Saturday with a right knee injury. Simmons left in the third quarter of the Sooners' 33-7 victory over Baylor last week, hopping toward the sideline before trainers met him and helped him the rest of the way off the field. Stoops refused to say how long Simmons will be out. However, Stoops says Ryan Broyles, the Sooners' leading receiver, returned to practice and "there's a chance he could play" Saturday in Dallas. (AP)

Sooners look ahead to Texas: Tulsa World

Underdog Sooners aim to storm Texas: Tulsa World

No. 20 Sooners treat red zone like red light: Associated Press

Like it's hot: The Norman Transcript

Red-zone failures killing Sooners: The Oklahoman

Sam Bradford's return lifts Sooners' spirits: The Oklahoman

OU defensive end Jeremy Beal says his secret is preparation: The Oklahoman

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Pair of Sooners suffer injuries in Baylor win: Starting left guard Brian Simmons left No. 19 Oklahoma's game against Baylor on Saturday after hurting his right knee, but coach Bob Stoops says it's too early to know the extent of the injury. Simmons started hopping to the sidelines after a second-down running play with about 5 minutes left in the third quarter. Stoops also says it's too soon to know the extent of an apparent left leg injury suffered by starting safety Quinton Carter, who also left the game in the third quarter. (AP/Dallas Morning News)

Jeremy Beal adds bite to Sooner defensive line: The Oklahoman

Red zone worries a concern for OU: ESPN.com

Shoulder feels great: Tulsa World

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Here are the Miami and Oklahoma players listed as probable and/or out for Saturday's game.

Oklahoma:
QB Sam Bradford (shoulder/out),
TE Jermaine Gresham (knee/out for year),
DT DeMarcus Granger (back/out).

Miami:
DT Marcus Forston (lower extremity/probable),
DE Andrew Smith (lower extremity/probable),
WR Aldarius Johnson (groin/probable),
S Randy Phillips (arm/out),
S JoJo Nicolas (upper extremity/out),
FB Patrick Hill (lower extremity/out),
DE Dyron Dye (lower extremity/out),
TE Richard Gordon (arm/doubtful),
RB Lee Chambers (leg/probable)

Related: Oklahoma Sooners vs Miami Hurricanes Game Page

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Oklahoma Sooner Football Articles and Notes

Red/White Injury Report: Players expected out and/or doubtful for Oklahoma's Red/White game.

Doubtful/questionable
- Linebacker Keenan Clayton (ankle)
- Linebacker Brandon Crow (knee)
- Tight end Brody Eldridge (ankle)
- Offensive guard Stephen Good (shoulder)
- Cornerback Jonathan Nelson (shoulder)
- Defensive tackle Adrian Taylor (back)

OUT
- Linebacker Austin Box (elbow)
- Defensive end Auston English (knee/ankle)
- Defensive tackle DeMarcus Granger (back)
- Defensive tackle Cordero Moore (knee)
- Running back DeMarco Murray (hamstring)
- Linebacker Ryan Reynolds (knee)

Bradford praises offensive line for his protection: Quarterback Sam Bradford gushed about the protection he'd been receiving. "I think those guys have done a great job," last season's Heisman Trophy winner said. "They've come in and have to play against one of the best defensive lines in the country every day and they’re still having to learn. But in my opinion, they've done a great job protecting me this spring." Bradford also said the group was further along in digesting the no-huddle offense than last year's unit. (The Oklahoman)

Jones' performance 'like night, day': The Oklahoman

Young players to watch at today's Red-White game: The Oklahoman

Why the spring is great: The Oklahoman

Witness says 'The Boz' used CPR on man: The Oklahoman

OU seeks helping hands: Tulsa World

Red/White on line: Norman Transcript

Bradford's return means everything to OU: Dallas Morning News

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