By John Shinn
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."
