By John Shinn
One saving grace for the Oklahoma this season had been its defense had managed to avoid the injury bug for most of the season. After 11 games, though, the injury is starting to hit it, too.
Middle linebacker Ryan Reynolds went in the third quarter of the 41-13 loss to Texas Tech with what appeared to be a hamstring injury and did not return.
When asked about Reynold's health Sunday afternoon, defensive coordinator Brent Venables said he hadn't talked to OU's trainers about Reynolds status yet.
OKBlitz.com reported Sunday that Reynolds will not play in Saturday against Oklahoma State.
Reynolds was replaced by Austin Box, who made three tackles in the game. Box, a sophomore, is a more than capable backup. He made four starts at the position last season and started against Kansas State.
But if Reynolds can't go, he will be OU's seventh starter to suffer a regular-season ending this season. He'll join defensive end Auston English on the defense. The offense has dealt with the loss of: quarterback Sam Bradford, tight end Jermaine Gresham, offensive linemen Brody Eldridge and Jarvis Jones and Ben Habern.
Habern joined the list after suffering a broken leg against Texas Tech.
Venables also said he didn't have an update on defensive tackle Adrian Taylor, who suffered a leg injury in the second half.
Lepak takes over at center
Offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson said Brian Lepak will get the start against Oklahoma State due to the loss of Habern.
The injury situation will leave OU with only six scholarship offensive linemen for the OSU game. Lepak is a walk-on.
"We'll compliment him (Lepak) with maybe Trent Williams or Stephen Good will be the next two guys there if we have to go to an extra center," Wilson said.
The Sooners expect to start Williams at left tackle, Brian Simmons at left guard, Good at right guard and Cory Brandon at right tackle.
Going pro?
Several of OU's underclassmen will have to decide whether to stay in school or enter the NFL draft after the season. Sophomore linebacker Travis Lewis is one of those. He redshirted in 2006, making him eligible to enter despite still having two years of eligibility.
He didn't give a definitive answer after the Tech game.
"We'll see about that," he said. "I haven't had the season I wanted to so I think there are a lot of things I need to get better at. So, we'll see."
John Shinn 366-3536 jshinn@normantranscript.com
