The Oklahoma Sooners are slowly getting healthier, according to their initial availability report. The Wednesday report ahead of the matchup with the Kentucky Wildcats is better than recent weeks, but it’s still not great. OU has five players ruled out, six listed as questionable, and two more listed as probable heading into Saturday.

The timing matters. Oklahoma just beat Texas in the Red River Rivalry, and the Longhorns were the No. 1 team in the country. The Sooners are still unranked, but a win over Kentucky would move them to 4-2. At that point, they have no reason to stay outside the rankings. They would also be right back in the College Football Playoff conversation if they win out.

Sooners Wednesday Availability Report is showing progress

Out – Linebacker Taylor Heim – Wide receiver Trell Harris – Running back Xavier Robinson – Tight end Trynae Washington – Defensive back Jacobe Johnson

Questionable – Wide receiver Parker Livingstone – Defensive back Eli Bowen – Offensive lineman Eddie Pierre-Louis – Offensive lineman Michael Fasusi – Offensive lineman Fred Hinton – Offensive lineman Heath Ozaeta

Probable – Running back Tory Blaylock – Tight end Jack Van Dorselaer

That’s four offensive linemen, a wide receiver, and a defensive back all listed as questionable.

The big one here is Michael Fasusi

Fasusi’s status is the most important development on this report. Against Georgia a few weeks ago, he was listed as out on Wednesday. Against Texas, he was doubtful. Now, he’s questionable.

That’s progress, and the Sooners need it. Fasusi may be their best offensive player and is definitely their best offensive lineman. The offensive line has not been good at all, so getting him back on the field would be a massive boost.

Pierre-Louis is also a big name to watch. He’s the best interior offensive lineman on the team, and Oklahoma can’t afford to have both him and Fasusi sidelined again.

On the other side of the ball, Bowen is the best cornerback on the roster. He didn’t play against Texas, and the Sooners only found out a few days before the game that he would be a no-go. Tristan Haynes stepped in and did a pretty decent job, outside of the touchdown he gave up to Cam Coleman. Still, OU would love to have Bowen back.

Some familiar names are missing again

Harris and Robinson being out is nothing new. That’s been a story of the season for Oklahoma, with both players largely absent since the first few weeks. Livingstone is another one to monitor. He played well against Texas despite not getting the ball much. He also helped with the punt block that went for a touchdown. I’m not sure if he got a hand on it, but he was in the punter’s face along with a few other guys.

Then there’s Blaylock. The Sooners would love to have him because Lloyd Avant can’t do it all by himself, even though he kind of did last week. I wouldn’t bank on that happening every week.

Van Dorselaer has been good for the Sooners despite not putting up a ton of stats. His pass and run blocking have been strong, and he finds ways to get open at times. Oklahoma has missed him.

Either way, this initial report is trending in the right direction, but the Sooners are still dealing with a lot of injuries. The final availability report comes out Friday, and that should give a much clearer picture of what this team will look like going into Saturday.

Kentucky won’t be an easy out

This isn’t the Kentucky of old everyone remembers. This Wildcats team is one of the best they’ve had in a long time. Kentucky coach Will Stein has done a fantastic job turning the program around, and the offense is humming.

On top of that, this should be the first SEC night game in Norman since 2024, not counting a College Football Playoff game. The atmosphere will be electric. Oklahoma just needs as many bodies as possible to make it happen.