Oklahoma Sooners get the best news they could have hoped for heading into their game against South Carolina
The Oklahoma Sooners are set to possibly get OT Derek Simmons back against South Carolina, per the injury report.
Earlier in the week, Oklahoma Sooners head coach Brent Venables provided an injury update before the team’s game against South Carolina. Venables mentioned right tackle Derek Simmons, who left their game vs. the Texas Longhorns, would be day-to-day.
When the initial injury report came out on Wednesday night, Simmons wasn’t on it, meaning he was available to play. Getting that kind of news is the best news they could have hoped for this week. However, some other important and key names were in the report.
Sooners’ initial injury report vs. South Carolina has a few key names
Wide receiver Keontez Lewis, who played last week and had two catches for 16 yards, is doubtful. Offensive lineman Logan Howland is also doubtful. As for running back Jovantae Barnes, who didn’t play last week, he is now listed as questionable. Earlier in the week, Venables described what happened with Barnes before the Red River Rivalry.
“In pregame, something, we thought initially was a hamstring, but it was something else,” Venables told reporters regarding Jovantae Barnes. “We think it will be short-term, but don’t really have any other information. He didn’t practice yesterday. And then Taylor [Tatum, RB] has had one thing after another. Between stingers, ankle, hamstring, he has kind of been snakebit.”
Oklahoma Sooners’ remaining schedule for 2025
- Oct. 18 – Week 8: Oklahoma at South Carolina
- Oct. 25 – Week 9: Ole Miss at Oklahoma
- Nov. 1 – Week 10: Oklahoma at Tennessee
- Nov. 8 – Week 11: BYE WEEK
- Nov. 15 – Week 12: Oklahoma at Alabama
- Nov. 22 – Week 13: Missouri at Oklahoma
- Nov. 29 – Week 14: LSU at Oklahoma
Barnes is the best pass protection RB on the roster, and a physical back that likely would have gotten some run against Texas. As for Simmons, it’s great he’s back, because South Carolina has two great edge rushers, who may even be better than what Texas has.
That’s a good start to the week for the Sooners as they look for their second SEC win of the year, as they try to bounce back from their loss to Texas.
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