Jaydn Ott injury update: Severity revealed after Oklahoma RB misses practice

Oklahoma has been hit with the injury bug early in preseason camp. Specifically, the running back position. Three guys were going through rehab exercises away from the team despite being dressed. Most notably of the trio, transfer Jadyn Ott.

According to Parker Thune of On3 | Rivals’ OU Insider, the injury for Ott is considered a “minor” one. Oklahoma wants to play everything cautiously after losing a couple guys this time last season. Taking any kind of risk for losing Ott for a long period of time would be ill-advised by Brent Venables or his staff.

“Minor (emphasis on MINOR) injuries to Jaydn Ott, Xavier Robinson and Taylor Tatum,” Thune said via X. “All three were dressed at practice today doing various rehab exercises. The #Sooners are naturally being quite cautious with their guys’ bumps and bruises after everything that happened last year.”

Exactly what Ott — plus Robinson and Tatum — are dealing with has not been publicly released by Oklahoma. Sooner Scoop‘s George Stoia did provide an update, giving the latest on where all three stand moving forward.

Making sure everyone is healthy for the Aug. 30 season opener against Illinois State appears to be at the top of everyone’s mind. One week later, the Michigan Wolverines will be in Norman for a massive nonconference showdown. Ott’s services will be required then and throughout the 2025 campaign.

Jaydn Ott explains difference between Cal and Oklahoma

Ott transferred from California to Oklahoma this offseason. And, evidently, he’s enjoying the change of scenery. On Wednesday, Ott was brutally honest when asked what the biggest difference is between Oklahoma and California.

“I don’t know how to put it nicely. The biggest difference is these guys care,” Ott said. “Not saying that my former teammates at Cal don’t care, but there’s levels and it shows in the way that guys treat their craft and how often they’re taking care of things outside the facility in order to be good within it.”

There’s no questioning Ott’s love for the game. In the 2023 campaign, Ott was spectacular, logging 1,305 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns. He also notched 26 catches for 196 yards and two scores that season.

Ott entered the 2024 campaign as one of the top returning running backs in the country, but had a down year after suffering an ankle injury in the Golden Bears’ season-opener. Ott ultimately missed just two games due to the injury, but was hindered by his ankle all season.

On3’s Grant Grubbs contributed to this report