Oklahoma Sooners HC Brent Venables delivers some details regarding David Stone’s injury that should put fans at ease
The Oklahoma Sooners could be perfectly fine with David Stone’s injury, but only time will tell.
Oklahoma Sooners defensive tackle David Stone suffered a knee injury during Monday’s practice, and the timing could not be worse for a team preparing to face Georgia on Saturday.
The Sooners already have an offense struggling to find its footing, and losing their best defensive player from Saturday’s game against New Mexico would be a significant blow.
Sooners coach Brent Venables addressed the injury during his Monday press conference, clarifying that Stone was injured while playing defense. Another reporter had indicated Stone was playing offense at the time, but Venables confirmed that was not the case.
Venables did provide some encouraging details. He said he ran his knee into a scout team player in a jog through, and it kind of popped out. ‘X-rays were positive,’ Venables also shared that Stone told him his pain level was at a 2 out of 10. The Sooners will have to monitor the situation throughout the week and see where Stone is come game time.
What we know (and don’t know) about the injury
Not much information is available beyond what Venables shared. The injury’s specific nature remains unclear. Venables used the phrase “popped out,” which could suggest some type of dislocation, though a knee dislocation would almost certainly keep Stone out longer than a single week.
It sounds like there is a real possibility Stone misses Saturday’s game, and a strong chance he won’t suit up against the Bulldogs. This is where the Sooners’ offseason transfer portal work becomes critical. Oklahoma added defensive tackle depth this year, bringing in Braxton Fely and Danny Saili through the portal. Now is the time to prove that depth is real, not theoretical.
Guys like Trent Wilson and Jayden Jackson will have to step up and play much bigger roles than they have so far. The Sooners built this roster with moments like this in mind. Saturday against Georgia will show whether they actually have the depth they believed they were adding.
Venables was in good spirits despite the news
Despite the Stone injury, Venables was in a good mood during his Monday press conference. It was one of the better press conferences from the Oklahoma coach, who came across as giddy and fired up. He even took a few playful jabs at the media, then clarified he was joking.
This team knows how important Saturday is. This game could define the rest of the Sooners’ season. Right now, Oklahoma’s season is not over. If they lose this next one, though, you could say it is, especially depending on how they lose. A close loss might leave some hope that this team still has a chance. A blowout, as many expect, would make it feel like the season is done.
Without David Stone, keeping this game close will be much harder. He was arguably Oklahoma’s best player on the field against New Mexico. The Sooners will need the rest of their defensive front to rise to the occasion, and we will see throughout the rest of the week whether Stone can make it back in time.
