Deion Burks, Jalil Farooq injury update: Brent Venables gives promising update ahead of Missouri matchup

Brent Venables will be the first to admit Oklahoma‘s offense has not been up to standard but injuries certainly have not helped. As many as five key wide receivers have missed most of the season, giving Jackson Arnold and Michael Hawkins limited weapons on the outside. Deion Burks and Jalil Farooq have been two of them for the Sooners.

Good news could be on the way, though, with Burks and Farooq. Venables says there is a chance the duo plays on Saturday against Missouri, additions everyone in Nomran will be thrilled with.

“There’s definitely a chance,” Venables said Monday when asked if Burks and Farooq will play.

Burks has been out for multiple weeks but somehow, is still one of the leading receivers for Oklahoma. The Purdue transfer is currently fourth in receiving yards, having 201 on 26 receptions while having a team-high three touchdowns. Big expectations were there entering the season but injuries have derailed them thus far.

Farooq spent most of the offseason recovering from an injury and was deemed ready to return for the season opener against Temple. His impact was immediately felt though as he caught one pass for 47 yards. A sign of what could have been coming this season.

Unfortunately, Farooq wound up breaking his foot in the game and has been out ever since. After connecting well with Arnold in last year’s bowl game against Arizona, the duo were hoped to be one of the best in the SEC.

Oklahoma broke a three-game losing streak on Saturday, taking down Maine. They currently sit at 1-4 in SEC play and are hoping to get their second win against Missouri — a game a lot of people circled heading into the year. Getting two receivers back would be a major boost to the efforts.