Oklahoma quarterback John Mateer is in line to play in the Red River Rivalry game against Texas after he was upgraded to probable on the SEC availability report Thursday.
Mateer underwent surgery on his right (throwing) hand on Sept. 24 after sustaining a broken bone four days prior during a 24-17 win against Auburn.
The sixth-ranked Sooners had a bye after that game and have played only one game since, a 44-0 home victory over Kent State.
“I don’t know when John Mateer will be back, really not even anything to talk about,” Oklahoma coach Brent Venables said Monday. “He’s on a progression through however long it takes those injuries to heal.”
Michael Hawkins Jr. started in Mateer’s place against Kent State and came away with 162 passing yards and three touchdowns on 14-of-24 passing, along with 33 yards and one score on the ground. Hawkins would be in line to face Arch Manning and Texas if Mateer cannot play.
A Washington State transfer, Mateer became the early Heisman Trophy frontrunner before his injury. He passed for 1,215 yards, six touchdowns and three interceptions and rushed for 190 yards and five scores in four games. The redshirt junior also led Oklahoma to a 24-13 victory against then-No. 15 Michigan on Sept. 6.
