Skip to main content
Join Now
Team Avatar
Oklahoma

Javonnie Gibson injury update: Brent Venables reveals Oklahoma WR 'right on schedule'

IMG_0985by: Griffin McVeigh4 hours agogriffin_mcveigh
Javonnie Gibson
Oklahoma WR Javonnie Gibson goes through stretch drills during OU fall camp. Photo - Carey Murdock/SoonerScoop

Oklahoma saw quarterback John Mateer break out on Saturday against the Michigan Wolverines. While his legs wound up being the main story, a number of positives emerged from the passing game as well. All this without a wide receiver the Sooners expected a lot from out of the NCAA transfer portal, Javonnie Gibson.

An injury has kept Gibson on the sideline to start the 2025 season. Thankfully, he appears close to returning to the field. Oklahoma head coach Brent Venables provided the latest on Wednesday, providing a positive report.

“He’s been great,” Venables said on the SEC Coaches Teleconference. “He’s been right on schedule. He’s got an excitement to him. Obviously, he’s anxious to get back out there. He’s catching a bunch of balls every day and going through the appropriate rehab protocols. Just made tremendous progress. So, look forward to seeing him back out there very soon.”

Gibson spent last season at Arkansas-Pine Bluff, an FCS program. But Oklahoma saw his production — 70 receptions for 1,215 yards and nine touchdowns — and believes Gibson can translate at the FBS level. While Venables is still uncertain of Gibson’s role once healthy, he likes the potential of the receiver.

“Who knows what that looks like,” Venables said on Gibson’s role. “You just don’t know. But when he was available in the spring, he was great.”

A broken leg is not the easiest injury to return from. Gibson went down during spring practice and was always scheduled to miss the early portions of the season. More than anything, folks in Norman were happy Gibson had an opportunity to get back on the field in 2025. Based on Venables’ comments, the right progress is being made.

Exactly when the time finally comes, no timeline was provided. Oklahoma heads up to Philadelphia on Saturday for a road game against Temple. Another massive test comes the Sooners’ way in Week 4, welcoming an old face back to Norman in Jackson Arnold. Now the starting quarterback at Auburn, the college football world will once again have a ton of eyes on OU.

One final nonconference game against Kent State takes place before heading to Dallas for the Red River Shootout against Texas. Mateer needs as many weapons as possible to get through a gauntlet of an SEC schedule, Gibson included. For now, the rehab work continues, and Venables likes the progress being made two weeks into the season.