The health situation in Oklahoma is improving at the right time.
The 15th-seeded Sooners will be as strong as they have been all season on Saturday night, just in time to face the 6th-seeded Tennessee Volunteers.
Under new SEC rules beginning in 2024, teams must release a final availability report 90 minutes before kickoff of conference games.
Earlier this week, Offensive Lineman Troy Everett and wide receivers Nick Anderson were both listed as likely players for Saturday’s top game.
Both Everett and Anderson would make their season debut when they face the Volunteers.
Everett, who played guard last year but was scheduled to play center for OU in spring practice, has been out of spring ball since an injury.
At worst, he could provide more depth at the center position, as Joshua Bates has essentially been Oklahoma’s only option for the football over the past two weeks.
Anderson had not been able to match his 10 touchdowns up to this point in the year.
His return will be welcome news for OU quarterback Jackson Arnold, as he has not had his full arsenal of weapons at his disposal this season.
Third-year pass catcher Jayden Gibson suffered a season-ending injury during fall camp, and Jalil Farooq injured his foot again on the first drive of the season against Temple, a setback that will cost him at least six weeks.
Defensive back Kendel Dolby will also likely play for the Sooners. He missed last week’s game against Tulane, where OU moved Woodi Washington over to share time with linebacker Sammy Omosigho at the Cheetah spot.
Tight end Kade McIntyre will also be available to play against the Volunteers on Saturday night after his ability to play was listed as questionable in Oklahoma’s initial availability report on Wednesday.
The status of center Branson Hickman and right tackle Jake Taylor has also been updated. Taylor and Hickman are both listed as “game-time decisions.”
Hickman played in OU’s opening game against Temple, but he left the game on the second drive with an injury that Brent Venables was later diagnosed with a severe ankle sprain. Hickman, a prized transfer from SMU, hasn’t played since.
Taylor missed the opening game and started against Houston, but was unable to finish the first half before being removed from the game by the offensive line coach. Bill BedenbaughTaylor won the starting spot as right tackle over Spencer Brown in preseason training camp, but was unable to stay healthy as the Sooners moved tackles around.
Linebackers Dasan McCullough was eliminated from the competition on Friday night and has not yet appeared for the Sooners in 2024.
Corner Gentry Williams will also miss the game after being ruled out on Wednesday.
The Sooners aren’t the only team dealing with injuries on Saturday night.
Tennessee Offensive Tackle Lance Heard will miss his second consecutive game.
Both the Sooners and Volunteers have been in the running for the LSU transfer in this season’s transfer database, but he won’t be able to make an impression for either side in Norman.
