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Com TW NOw News 2024

Oklahoma Releases Final Availability Report Ahead of Massive Tennessee Collision
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Oklahoma Releases Final Availability Report Ahead of Massive Tennessee Collision

The health situation in Oklahoma is improving at the right time.

The 15th-ranked Sooners will be at full strength Saturday night, just in time to take on the 6th-ranked Tennessee Volunteers.

Under new 2024 SEC rules, teams must release a final availability report 90 minutes before the start of a conference game.

Earlier this week, offensive lineman Troy Everett and wide receiver Nic Anderson were both on the list to probably participate in Saturday’s important match.

Both Everett and Anderson would make their season debuts when they take the field against the Volunteers.

Everett, who played guard last year but was originally scheduled to play center during OU’s spring training, is now on the shelf after suffering an injury during spring ball.

At worst, he could provide additional depth in the middle, as Joshua Bates has essentially been Oklahoma’s only option to get the ball the past two weeks.

Anderson has so far failed to match his 10 touchdowns in a year.

His return will be welcome news for OU quarterback Jackson Arnold, who hasn’t had a full arsenal of weapons this season.

Third year pass catcher Jayden Gibson suffered a season-ending injury during fall camp, and Jalil Farooq re-injured his foot on the first drive of the season against Temple, a setback that will cost him at least six weeks.

Defensive back Kendel Dolby will likely play for the Sooners as well. He missed last week’s game against Tulane, when OU moved Woodi Washington to split time with linebacker Sammy Omosigho in the Cheetah spot.

Tight end Kade McIntyre will also be able to try Saturday night against the Volunteers after being listed as questionable on Oklahoma’s initial availability report on Wednesday.

The statuses of center Branson Hickman and right tackle Jake Taylor have also been updated. Taylor and Hickman are both listed as “game-time decisions.”

Hickman played in OU’s season opener against Temple, but he left the game on the second drive with an injury that Brent Venables later ruled a high ankle sprain. Hickman, a decorated transfer from SMU, has not played since.

Taylor missed the opener and started against Houston, but he couldn’t finish the first half before being pulled by the offensive line coach Bill Bedenbaugh. Taylor won the starting right tackle job over Spencer Brown in preseason camp, but has failed to stay healthy as the Sooners have moved their tackles around.

Line defender Dasan McCullough was ruled out of the game on Friday night and is scheduled to play for the Sooners in 2024.

Corner defender Gentry Williams will also miss the match, as he was absent on Wednesday.

The Sooners aren’t the only team dealing with injuries Saturday night.

Tennessee offensive tackle Lance heard will miss his second game in a row.

The transfer from LSU was coveted by both the Sooners and Volunteers this offseason, but he won’t be a difference-maker for either team in Norman.