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R Mason Thomas injury update: ESPN broadcast gives latest on OU star hurting himself on fumble return TD

FaceProfileby: Thomas Goldkamp11/02/25
R Mason Thomas
Oklahoma Sooners defensive lineman R Mason Thomas (32) and defensive lineman Taylor Wein (44) celebrate after a safety during a college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the Auburn Tigers at Gaylord Family Ð Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Saturday,Sept. 20, 2025. Oklahoma won 24-17.

On a spectacular play against Tennessee, Oklahoma defender R Mason Thomas appeared to injure himself. He appeared to pull up midway through a fumble return for a touchdown.

Even so, Thomas had a big enough convoy that he was able to get into the end zone for the score untouched. He was at about half speed for the final third of the run, clearly bothered by the injury.

“Well guys, R Mason Thomas is in the injury tent right now,” ABC sideline reporter Holly Rowe reported on air. “From what I’ve observed he’s being evaluated for a hamstring injury. You could see him feel it on the middle of that run. Right now in for him is Taylor Heim, who has been terrific. Ninth in the nation in tackles for a loss.”

Tennessee quarterback Joey Aguilar has lost the football multiple times in the first quarter on Saturday night. On one, the Volunteers were able to get back on top of it to prevent a turnover.

That wasn’t the case a little later, when R Mason Thomas activated on his long fumble return touchdown. On that play, Owen Heinecke came free and hit Aguilar to force the fumble. Thomas scooped it up at the Oklahoma 29-yard line and returned it 71 yards for the score.

But despite allowing the defensive score, the Tennessee offense has been reasonably sharp early. The other two drives the offense had resulted in scores — a touchdown and a field goal.

Tennessee led 10-7 with about 1:08 to play in the first quarter at the time of this writing. Rowe provided a second update on R Mason Thomas, early in the second quarter.

“That’s right, R Mason Thomas does not look like he will return to this game right now,” Rowe reported. “He tried to get in a stance, push off, but cannot on that right leg. He’s encouraging the guys on the sideline, does not have his helmet.”