OU will once again be without one of its best defensive players this Saturday against LSU.
Defensive end R Mason Thomas was listed as out in Thursday’s availability report for the game. Thomas has not played since injuring his quad against Tennessee when he returned a fumble 71 yards for a touchdown. Thomas has been one of Oklahoma’s top playmakers this year, totaling 23 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks.
OU will also be without cornerback Gentry Williams, who has not played since injuring his shoulder against South Carolina. He was also listed as out. The Sooners do have good depth at corner, with sophomore Eli Bowen and freshman Courtland Guillory stepping up in Williams’ absence.
The Sooners could also be without their starting center Jake Maikkula, who was listed as doubtful on Thursday’s report. If he can’t play, Febechi Nwaiwu is expected to start in his place.
Other than that, OU heads into the regular season finale relatively healthy. And that’s good news for the Sooners, as they can punch their ticket to the College Football Playoff with a win over LSU.
“Going into our last regular-season game here at home, we all know what’s on the line this weekend,” coach Brent Venables said on Tuesday. “I just want to give a shoutout to our fans, to make it an amazing day—from the Walk of Champions all the way to the warmups to the first third down in-game—they can really have a great, great impact, and I expect them to be at their best like I expect our team to be at our best as well. It’s been a really, good, strong homefield advantage for us and can make things really difficult for them offensively, in particular.”
The full availability report for OU is listed below.
OU report
DE R Mason Thomas: Out
CB Gentry Williams: Out
RB Jovantae Barnes: Questionable
OL Heath Ozaeta: Doubtful
DL Jayden Jackson: Probable
OL Heath Ozaeta: Questionable
OL Troy Everett: Out
OL Jacob Sexton: Doubtful
OL Jake Taylor: Doubtful