Brent Venables updates health of Dillon Gabriel after scary injury

Oklahoma saw quarterback Dillon Gabriel leave against TCU on Saturday after a scary hit. But after the game, Brent Venables wasn’t as concerned about the hit as he was about the health of his quarterback.

Venables told reporters Gabriel is in concussion protocol after a nasty hit from TCU defender Jamoi Hodge, who was ejected for targeting as a result.

He didn’t return, and Venables said his No. 1 priority is going to be Gabriel’s health when talking about the play. At the time of the injury, Gabriel had completed 7 of 16 passes for 126 yards.

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“We don’t have an update,” Venables told reporters. “He’s under concussion protocol and I don’t think a whole lot about the hit. It’s football. If you don’t like it, it’s part of the game. My concern is with Dillon and his health and his safety.”

Dillon Gabriel leaves game vs TCU with injury after scary hit

Oklahoma quarterback Dillon Gabriel left the game against TCU after suffering a vile looking hit while attempting to slide after a run.

After the play, Horned Frogs defender Jamoi Hodge was ejected for his contact with the Oklahoma quarterback’s helmet. Check out the play for yourself below, and be the judge on whether the hit was dirty or not.

TCU defender Jamoi Hodge was ejected for this hit on Dillon Gabriel

pic.twitter.com/jTeLoUetRV

— PFF College (@PFF_College) October 1, 2022

Afterward, Hodge was distraught on the sidelines, almost brought to tears with a towel draped covering his head. He immediately regretted the hit, wishing to take it all back in a moment’s notice. Gabriel was able to walk off the field under his own power.

Gabriel was replaced with backup quarterback Davis Beville entered the game. Relying on the Sooners’ ground game, Oklahoma scored on the same drive, via Jovantae Barnes taking a 20-yard rush to the house.

Oklahoma trailed 34-17 at the time of the injury and looked to make an improbable comeback against TCU.