John Mateer injury update: Oklahoma QB's status vs. Texas revealed on Wednesday availability report

As Oklahoma and Texas prepare for this year’s installment of the Red River Rivalry, the biggest storyline is John Mateer’s injury. The Sooners QB is recovering from hand surgery, which put his status in question for the rivalry matchup.

Speaking on the SEC teleconference, OU coach Brent Venables declined to reveal what Mateer’s status would be on the initial availability report. Now, we know where things stand.

If Mateer is unable to go, Michael Hawkins would be in line to get the start again. He got some run last year in relief of Jackson Arnold and led the offense last week against Kent State. Here’s the latest from Wednesday’s SEC availability report.

Oklahoma Sooners

• TE Kade McIntyre – Out
• OL Troy Everett – Out
• OL Jacob Sexton – Out
• OL Jake Taylor – Out
• OL Logan Howland – Out
• QB John Mateer – Questionable
• WR Keontez Lewis – Questionable

Texas Longhorns

• RB CJ Baxter – Doubtful
• DB Malik Muhammad – Probable
• WR Parker Livingstone – Probable

Mateer underwent hand surgery prior to Oklahoma’s bye week, and the recovery time was roughly three or more weeks. That timeline put the Red River Shootout front and center as fans – in Norman, Austin and around college football – wondered whether the Washington State transfer would be able to suit up.

ESPN’s Pete Thamel reported this week Mateer was pushing give it a go against Texas. However, Venables pumped the brakes during his Monday press conference, telling reporters Mateer has not done any good-on-good work to this point. That will be crucial if he wants to play in Saturday’s game at the Cotton Bowl.

“John is doing no good-on-good work,” Venables said. “It’s Michael and Whitt [Newbauer] right now. If something changes, I’ll let you know. But I think if you’re going to play, you’ve got to go good-on-good, right? Throw some skelly, hand the ball off, play on third downs.”

When asked about the injury itself, Venables interrupted the reporter to say he’s not sure about it. He’s leaning on the doctors to help make the final call.

“I’m just gonna cut you off. I don’t know anything about the injury,” Venables said. “When they tell me he’s available, I’ll let y’all know.”

Mateer was off to an impressive start to his season at Oklahoma at the time of his injury. Through four games, he has a 67.4 completion percentage as he threw for 1,215 yards and six touchdowns out of the gate. He also added 190 rushing yards and five touchdowns.

In the victory over Auburn when he suffered the injury, Mateer went 24 of 36 for 271 yards and a touchdown to help lead the charge. He also took 10 carries for 29 yards and a touchdown as OU came away with the 24-17 win over the Tigers at home. He did not come out of the game after getting hurt.