The injuries that have plagued Oklahoma since the season began won't go away. Monday night, Sooner coach Bob Stoops said offensive linemen Brody Eldridge and defensive end Auston English will both miss the rest of the season due to injuries suffered in the Sooners' 10-3 loss to Nebraska.
"It's the way it goes," Stoops said. "Hopefully some guys will step up. It's what needs to happen."
English tore a tendon in his right foot in the first quarter against Nebraska. The senior had started all nine games with 23 tackles including 61?2 for losses and four sacks.
Eldridge suffered a separated shoulder against the Huskers early in the second quarter. Eldridge, who has been the most versatile player on the Sooner roster, had started one game at center, four at tight end and the last three at left guard.
They become the third and fourth longtime starters to miss the rest of their seasons, joining quarterback Sam Bradford and tight end Jermaine Gresham. They're also the sixth and seventh returning starters from last season to miss at least one game due to injury. Six have been on the offensive side of the ball.
"I hate to say it, but it's something we've grown accustomed to," left tackle Trent Williams said.
English's injury will have an impact on OU's defense, but it should be more in terms of depth. English rotated with Frank Alexander at one of the defensive end spots most of the season. Alexander had six tackles against Nebraska. Stoops said redshirt freshmen R.J. Washington and David King could also see more playing time over the last three games.
Eldridge's absence, however, could be a crippling blow.
The senior was an important part of a struggling offensive line. He was plugged into the left guard spot after Brian Simmons suffered an ankle injury Oct. 17 against Texas.
"He was a great player and anytime you lose a great player it's going to have some kind of impact on your team," Williams said.
Offensive line coach James Patton said what happens in practice this week will determine how he tries to patch the hole.
"Oh, we'll put another blocker on the field. We'll find out who the next best blocker is. That's what we do. We're going to line up with five blockers out there," he said.
Patton said Simmons practiced Monday, but it hasn't been determined if he'll be able to play Saturday against Texas A--M.
The last thing OU can afford to lose is another veteran player, particularly after failing to score a touchdown at Nebreaska, something the progam hadn't suffered since a 1998 shutout at Texas A--M.
No one tried to sugarcoat the impact Monday.
"It's a big blow losing a guy like that. He's a veteran; a guy who's been around here a long time. He's one of the leaders on this offense," quarterback Landry Jones said. "We're going to miss Brody and we're going to miss him in this offense."
Sports
Sooner losses mount on both lines
- Sports
-
-
Red River rut
The rut Oklahoma has been trying to escape for the last two weeks continued to grow deeper with a 69-58 loss to Texas Tuesday night at Lloyd Noble Center....
-
Sooners did not show up to play
Texas had something to play for. So there’s that. If the Longhorns are to receive an at-large bid to the NCAA tournament, this was just the kind of game they absolutely had to win....
-
Rested Thunder throttle weary Jazz
OKLAHOMA CITY — James Harden scored 22 points, Kevin Durant added 21 and the Oklahoma City Thunder beat Utah 111-85 on Tuesday night for their second win against the Jazz in five days....
-
Tigers get clinical win
OKLAHOMA CITY — The Norman High girls were loose and relaxed before the start of the regular-season finale on Tuesday night, even dancing courtside to the pre-game music. But as soon as the ball tipped off the Tigers were all business, ...
-
With W.V. set free by Big East, Big 12 schedule’s out and it’s backloaded for Sooners
With West Virginia finally receiving its release from the Big East Conference on Tuesday, the Big 12 Conference was finally able to release its conference football schedule for the 2012 season....
-
Aggies get ugly win over Red Raiders
LUBBOCK, Texas — Elston Turner felt relief that he and his Texas A&M teammates finally got a Big 12 road win, beating Texas Tech 47-38 on Tuesday night in their final Big 12 matchup with the Red Raiders. “Any win’s a great win,” said ...
-
Griffin grows up, feels critical sting
DALLAS — They blew it. Chris Paul played as if he was wearing mittens. As big as Texas is, Blake Griffin couldn’t have hit the state if he were given a free shot at it....
-
Will ‘Linsanity’ continue?
Everything is bigger in Manhattan. The skyscrapers, the avenues, the toll fees, the theatre prices, the stories....
-
Dodgers’ bidders to meet MLB’s ownership committee
NEW YORK — Remaining bidders for the Los Angeles Dodgers have been told they will be scheduled for meetings with Major League Baseball’s ownership committee early next month....
-
Retired players seeking better benefits
MINNEAPOLIS — The group of NFL retirees that was a part of the labor talks during the lockout last year has not given up their push for better post-career care....
- More Sports Headlines
-
