John Mateer injury update: Brent Venables clarifies Oklahoma QB's status vs. Texas

Brent Venables doubled down on pumping the brakes on a return for QB John Mateer this week vs. Texas. Venables mentioned Mateer isn’t back to full speed yet.

“BV said Mateer has done ‘zero good on good work,'” Brandon Drumm of OU Insider wrote on Twitter/X. “He says he knows zero on the injury and when Mateer is fully available they will move forward.”

Venables actually interrupted a question to say Mateer was not full go at that point. He mentioned the other two quarterbacks on the roster.

“It’s Michael (Hawkins) and Whitt (Newbauer)… I think if you’re going to play, you’re going to do good on good, right,” Venables said. “Throw some skelly, hand the ball off, play on third downs.”

Offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle already said he didn’t want Mateer to put himself in a “compromising position,” should he rush back to the field. The star QB underwent hand surgery less than two weeks ago and was initially expected to miss at least through this week, Red River week.

Mateer was on a Heisman Trophy pace through four games this year. He had 1,215 yards, six touchdowns, three interceptions, a 67.4% completion percentage, 190 rushing yards and four rushing touchdowns.

Michael Hawkins has filled in for Mateer since the latter went down with injury. He’s steered the ship and has 167 passing yards, three touchdowns, zero interceptions, a 55.6% completion percentage, 58 rushing yards and one rushing touchdown.

College Football Playoff excitement swirled around the Sooners due to Mateer’s great play early on. Wins against Michigan and Auburn got a ton of national attention for the program, something they needed in a critical season for Venables. But for the most part, how Oklahoma performs during SEC play will determine its fate.

Mateer gives Oklahoma the best chance to win, but Hawkins is no slouch. While he’ll make a push to play, Mateer is not guaranteed to be out there for Red River.

“(Hawkins) has some experience playing in there last year. Really, my mindset is no different than it was going into today,” Venables said. “Again, we need to play well in the areas we are in control, taking care of the ball. Making layups when they’re there. Not trying to do too much. You look at some of our parts as a football team, to complement one or another. But I feel great about Mike.”