Brent Venables provides update on Oklahoma players injured in Week 1 win

The Oklahoma Sooners walked into Memorial Stadium on a mission to show the rest of the college football world that the Sooners mean business in 2023. And they did that and then some with a 73-0 victory over Arkansas State.

Oklahoma enjoyed a convincing victory despite missing a handful of players due to injury and a few more exiting Saturday’s contest. After the game, Sooners head coach Brent Venables provided injury updates for the players who didn’t play on Saturday and the ones who left the game early.

“We had a few guys that were banged up; probably could have played had we needed them,” said Venables. “Obviously, I don’t know a whole lot right now on those guys. I think Drake (Stoops) maybe had an AC sprain. He was anxious to get back in there, but we didn’t need him. And hopefully, Davis (Beville) it might be just an MCL. Dasan McCullough had an ankle injury. I don’t think it’s real severe, but it wasn’t strong enough for him to go back in.

Stoops left the game following his first-quarter touchdown grab. His day ended after hauling in four catches for 56 yards and the touchdown grab. Both McCullough and Beville saw brief action in the game exit with their respective injuries. As it currently stands, the Oklahoma headman does not believe that the injuries are too serious, but judgment should be reserved until they are fully evaluated later in the week.

There were two Sooners that suited up but did not play: sophomore defensive lineman R Mason Thomas and freshman running back Gavin Sawchuk. When closing out his postgame press conference, Venables touched on their status for Week 2 while revealing whether or not he expects them to participate in Oklahoma’s game against SMU.

“So they both could have played say, but we chose to hold them out. Again, R Mason (Thomas) had an ankle injury early in camp. He’s looked great, but we thought about it. Hopefully, he doesn’t have any setbacks this week. And then Gavin (Sawchuk), in his words, he would tell you he’s about 95 percent. We decided to hold him today. But I would expect him back this week.”

Unfortunately, injuries are a part of the college football game. Fortunately for Oklahoma fans, it does not appear as if those injuries suffered in the game and in the offseason will hold the players out of their Week 2 showdown with SMU in the eyes of Venables.