It continues to be a waiting game for OU and one of its defensive stars following the release of the SEC availability report Thursday evening.<\/p>\n
Senior defensive end R Mason Thomas<\/a> was listed as questionable once again on the availability report Thursday ahead of the Missouri game on Saturday. Thomas did not play against Alabama after suffering a quad injury against Tennessee when he returned a fumble 71 yards for a touchdown.<\/p>\n The good news for the Sooners on the report is that neither Xavier Robinson<\/a> nor Tory Blaylock<\/a> are listed, meaning both running backs will be available. Both players have been banged up this season and likely won\u2019t be 100% for Saturday\u2019s game. Still, it\u2019s a positive that neither is on the report.<\/p>\n Another notable absence was running back Taylor Tatum, <\/a>who has been listed on the availability nearly every week. Tatum has barely played this season, but could provide some good depth that OU desperately needs to finish the season. <\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s going to be tested,\u201d coach Brent Venables<\/a> said of the running back depth. \u201cNo question, so hopeful we can stay healthy and we\u2019re probably going to spread it out a little more to kind of manage the next few weeks.\u201d<\/p>\n A new name Thursday is offensive guard Heath Ozaeta<\/a>, listed as doubtful.<\/p>\n The lack of names is obviously positive for OU. There has to be a line of logic that zero OU players want to be put in this report from this point on. You\u2019re so close to the finish line, so close to accomplishing the season-long goal. If you can stand, you\u2019re going to try to play.<\/p>\n