By John Shinn
Oklahoma quarterback Sam Bradford underwent surgery on his right shoulder Wednesday morning in Birmingham, Ala. By all accounts, the procedure performed by renowned surgeon Dr. James Andrews was successful.
The operation began at 10:10 a.m., and took a little over 30 minutes. The 2008 Heisman Trophy winner was back in his hospital room by 12:15 p.m., according to a statement released by OU Wednesday.
"Dr. James Andrews said it was just as we expected," Bradford's father, Kent, said Wednesday. "It all looked great in the end and everyone seems to feel very good about it."
The Sooners quarterback went through a limited exercise session in Birmingham Wednesday. He is expected to return to Oklahoma either today or Friday.
"The report we got was that everything went about as well as it could and obviously we're very happy for Sam and his family," OU coach Bob Stoops said Wednesday. "We look forward to getting him back in Norman so that we can assist with his recovery and rehabilitation."
Bradford, a junior, said earlier this week that if his recovery proceeds as expected he will make himself available for the NFL draft in April.
Injury update
OU hasn't made a decision on whether running back DeMarco Murray will play Saturday against Kansas State. The odds appear to be increasing that he will.
"DeMarco practiced more today and we're optimistic (Murray will play)," Stoops said after Wednesday's practice.
Murray suffered an ankle injury against Texas Oct. 17. He played all of the Texas game, but was held out of last week's game against Kansas.
The only other starter who is hurt but hasn't undergone season-ending surgery is left tackle Brian Simmons. Stoops said Simmons, who suffered a knee injury against Baylor, won't play against Kansas State, but could return for next week's game at Nebraska.
Another year for Reynolds?
Two weeks ago, senior middle linebacker Ryan Reynolds announced plans to seek a medical hardship and a sixth season of eligibility for the 2010 season. Stoops, however, sounded as if those plans were on hold Tuesday.
"We haven't submitted that yet," he said. "We'll have to confer more on whether that happens or not."
Reynolds, who has missed several games because of three knee injuries over the past three years, is OU's second-leading tackler with 51. He has six lost yardage tackles, 3 1/2 sacks, an interception, a fumble recovery and a forced fumble.
The last two games, he has come off the field against some multiple-receiver sets with OU using a fifth defensive back more.
Reynolds figures to be on the field more against Kansas State since it runs the ball more and uses two-running backs and tight ends more than the Longhorns and Jayhawks.
False start
A Dallas Morning News story Wednesday claimed next season's Red River Rivalry will be a night game. But OU released a statement Wednesday declaring the report "false."
"No start time for that game has been determined, and it is unlikely that the determination will be made until this summer," a statement released through OU's sports information office said.
John Shinn 366-3536 jshinn@normantranscript.com
