After having surgery just 16 days ago, Oklahoma Sooners QB John Mateer is now listed as “probable” for the Red River Rivalry on Saturday against the Texas Longhorns. The potential Heisman candidate was upgraded on the official SEC injury report.
The Little Elm, TX native underwent surgery on Sept. 24 after he broke his hand in a win over Auburn. No timetable was given following his surgery, but the rehab typically takes three weeks to a month. He missed last week’s Kent State game, but definitely benefitted from a bye week after his operation.
Earlier this week, OU coach Brent Venables updated his status vs. Texas, saying, “I’m assuming (Mateer) can’t (play),” Venables said. “He’s going to push the limits on everything when it comes to his rehab and getting back. At the same time, I told him, you’re not going to defy the odds … You need to let those things heal.”
“He’s doing his normal protocol. He’s done zero good-on-good work,” Venables said Tuesday. ” … John is doing no good-on-good work. So it’s Michael (Hawkins Jr.) and Whitt (Newbuaer) right now.”
But ESPN’s Pete Thamel has reported for more than a week that there was a chance Mateer would play in Dallas. “There’s a belief that Mateer’s return less than three weeks after hand surgery is possible, according to sources, as he has reacted well to the operation.” Thamel said.
There’s still ambiguity around Mateer’s status that won’t go away until the game starts. It could just be a misdirection by the Sooners staff to increase the prep time for Texas. Or Mateer would start warming up Saturday and the pain in his hand is too much.
This article originally appeared on Longhorns Wire: Oklahoma QB John Mateer now ‘probable’ for Red River Rivalry vs. Texas Football
Reporting by Trey Luerssen, Longhorns Wire / Longhorns Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
