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OU linebacker Jaren Kanak released from hospital after chest injury

headshotby:George Stoia•09/23/23•

GeorgeStoia

OU linebacker Jaren Kanak

CINCINNATI — OU linebacker Jaren Kanak was taken to a hospital Saturday after a chest injury in the fourth quarter. He has since been released from the hospital and will travel back with the team.

Kanak left the game in the fourth quarter of OU’s 20-6 victory at Cincinnati after making a tackle. He was wobbling after the tackle and was taken off on a cart and eventually left the stadium in an ambulance. He was seen spitting blood before entering the ambulance.

“Early results seems to indicate he’ll be okay,” coach Brent Venables said. “Everything seemed to check out. And we’ll continue to check him out.”

Kanak finished the game with seven tackles and one quarterback hurry. Redshirt freshman Kip Lewis replaced Kanak in the fourth quarter, playing alongside Danny Stutsman, who led the team in tackles in 13.

“That’s my brother right there,” Stutsman said of Kanak. “He’s a tough guy and he’s going to be all right. He’s a fighter. That’s my guy, but he’s all right and he’ll push through.”

It’s unclear how long Kanak will be out, but Lewis has shown good instincts while playing and there’s hope he can be a future star in Venables’ defense. Kanak though has been one of OU’s most consistent players, starting all four games at MIKE linebacker.

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