Conflicting reports on John Mateer injury could completely flip Oklahoma Sooners season upside down following shocking hand surgery
Oklahoma Sooners starting quarterback John Mateer suffers injury that could see him miss weeks and potentially wreck Oklahoma’s season
The Oklahoma Sooners have had a much more enjoyable start to their 2025 season than their 2024 season, starting out 4-0 with quality wins over the Michigan Wolverines and Auburn Tigers. Last year, their offense was decimated by injuries and poor quarterback play, making it a struggle to get last through most of the year.
However, the Sooners’ good fortune seems to have already run out for 2025, as they were dealt a massive blow that could wreck the rest of their season. Quarterback John Mateer suffered a thumb injury in Oklahoma’s victory over the Tigers and will require surgery on his throwing hand. He will be out for a few weeks while recovering from that injury.
Mateer’s timeline to return is unknown at this point in time. On3’s Pete Nakos reported that there is some hope that Mateer could be back in time for the Red River Rivalry game, but it will all depend entirely on how his recovery goes. ESPN’s Pete Thamel called the surgery a “straightforward” surgery that will keep Mateer out for a full month.
In his place will be backup quarterback Michael Hawkins, who played in nine games last season for the Sooners and started in four, including their bowl game.
John Mateer Likely Out Against Texas
According to Oklahoma’s press release, Mateer suffered the injury in the first quarter of the Auburn game. Mateer finished the game regardless, and led the game-winning drive with seemingly little issues to his throwing process.
“After consulting with medical experts, it became clear that surgery is the best option for John and his short- and long-term future,” said Venables. “He’s extremely disappointed he will miss some game action but is eager to correct the issue and move forward. As he is with everything, we know he will be aggressive with his rehabilitation and work to return to the field as quickly as possible.”
The biggest problem with this news beyond the obvious is that the Sooners will likely miss Mateer for their game against the Texas Longhorns. This marks the third time in the last four years that Texas will have played the Sooners with a backup quarterback in the game. Texas lost the one where the Sooners’ starter played.
Given Texas’s strong defensive start to the season, the Red River Rivalry game already felt primed to be a low-scoring, defensive affair. Now, it seems like it will be even more so, as both schools will enter it with uncertainty at quarterback. Missing Texas as well as weeks of practice before entering their SEC gauntlet feels like it could be catastrophic for Oklahoma’s chances at making a College Football Playoff run despite a promising start to the season.
Fortunately for the Sooners, they are entering their bye week this week before a tune-up game against Kent State next weekend, giving Mateer plenty of time to recover without jeopardizing their entire schedule. With Texas dovetailed in between games against Kent State and South Carolina, the Sooners can survive their schedule without Mateer in.
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