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Oklahoma

Brent Venables updates Dillon Gabriel's status, timetable for decision

Alex Weberby:Alex Weber•10/11/22
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Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images

Oklahoma did not have starting quarterback Dillon Gabriel’s services during the washout they suffered vs. Texas due to a concussion. Boy, did they miss him badly. The Sooner offense averaged 37 points a game through five contests with Gabriel at the helm. But Texas shut them out completely last Saturday en route to the 49-0 win.

Safe to say the Sooners absolutely need to get Gabriel back on the field to salvage what’s left of Brent Venables’ first season in charge. However, with head injuries, caution takes the cake. So while a speedy recovery would be ideal for the football team, the OU medical staff won’t rush Gabriel back onto the field if they don’t feel he’s ready.

At Venables’ press conference this week, one reporter noted that Gabriel said he was still in concussion protocol. Then asked if that would be back this week. And if he was, would staying in protocol “hinder” his preparation throughout the week? Here was the answer from Brent Venables:

“I mean, I don’t know if it hinders his preparation. Don’t know what the concussion protocol — I think they continue to evaluate him every day. I don’t get into the deep weeds. I just wanna major in the minors. Tell me what he can do, what he can’t do. He’s full go at practice. I think, just continue to, whatever those tests are, they do those to make sure that they’re on the right side of it. And if he continues to stay out of harm’s way in regards to that protocol, I would expect him to play.”

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There you have it. So long as Dillon Gabriel continues to improve and pass all of the necessary tests and precautions, Sooner fans will see their starting QB take the field Saturday as they welcome a ranked Kansas team (No. 19) to Norman.

With Oklahoma dropping the first three games of the Big 12 slate, two of which in embarrassing fashion, they need a home win over typically terrible Kansas badly. Except the Jayhawks aren’t Jayhawking like usual on the football field. Instead, Lance Leipold has those boys 5-1 and in the thick of a Big 12 title race that Oklahoma is virtually out of. Gotta have Gabriel back to feel confident in this one.