Norman, Okla.- As Day 6 of fall camp comes to a close, there are a few injuries on the Oklahoma roster. However, the most concerning one is Michael Fasusi. This is critical considering the number of injuries the Sooners have faced in the first two years of being an SEC member. In 2024, it was the star receiving core including Nic Anderson, Andrel Anthony, Jalil Farooq and Deion Burks. In 2025, it was the running back room and some of the offensive line.
Fasusi, along with offensive lineman Heath Ozaeta, did not participate in Day 6 of fall camp. The real question is going to be will both linemen be ready for the season opener against UTEP. While UTEP isn’t a big threat to Oklahoma, it would be comforting for Sooner Nation to at least see Fasusi take a few snaps against the Miners. The 6’5 sophomore was a No. 6 overall recruit and the top offensive lineman prospect according to ESPN. Not having him and Ozaeta would massively hurt the Oklahoma offense heading into the Michigan game on September 12.
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The running back room is also a concern with Tory Blaylock and Jonathan Hatton Jr. not fully participating in Tuesday’s practice. The Sooners had to rely heavily on Blaylock and Xavier Robinson during the majority of the 2025 season. With Robinson missing all of spring camp, it is unclear if running backs coach Deland McCullough will have a good rotation to start the season. Be on the lookout for Lloyd Avant to possibly start at running back against UTEP. Avant is a transfer from Colorado State and shows a lot of promise. Even if Avant makes a great impression in the season opener, Oklahoma has to have a little bit of depth when it travels to Ann Arbor.
According to Sooners on SI, the Sooners who either participated with no contact or did not participate at all include Kristan Moore, CJ Nickson, LeBron Bauer, Preston Mickens, Derrick Johnson II, Trystan Haynes and Dakoda Fields.
While we still have slightly over three weeks from the season opener, the questions remains the same. Which injured players will be fully ready on September 5 against UTEP? Will some starters just sit out during UTEP to be ready to go for Michigan? Note that for non-conference games, Oklahoma does not have to release an injury report. It is only during SEC play.
