OU tackle Derek Simmons is 'day to day' following injury vs. Texas
NORMAN — The offensive line issues continue to plague Oklahoma, and the status for one key starter is up in the air heading into this weekend.
OU head coach Brent Venables said right tackle Derek Simmons is “day to day” following an injury he suffered early in the first half against Texas. Simmons was on the ground for several moments before he eventually limped off the field with help from the training staff.
It sounds like Simmons avoided a significant injury, but his status is uncertain for Saturday (11:45 a.m. CT, SECN) against South Carolina.
“He responded well,” Venables said Tuesday.
If Simmons is unable to play this weekend, that would be yet another significant injury to the Sooners’ offensive tackle room. Simmons has brought some much-needed stability to that room — he’s started five of six games at right tackle and has the second-best run-blocking grade on the offensive line, per Pro Football Focus.
His availability has been key, given the injury concerns. Left tackle Jacob Sexton hasn’t played since starting the season opener, leaving with an injury just six snaps into the game. Jake Taylor has yet to play this season. Logan Howland has appeared in five games but was ruled out for the Texas game, and his return is uncertain.
If Simmons is out, the Sooners will likely turn to Stanford transfer Luke Baklenko. For OU offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle, the offensive line simply has to have push through it.
“I mean, it’s football,” Arbuckle said. “Everyone’s going to get hurt. There’s a lot of people around the country are probably a little bit banged up. The biggest thing we can promote is the next man up mentality. And the standard doesn’t change, just cause the next man’s up. You have to find different ways as a coach to put those guys in position to be successful, help them out if there needs to be some help somewhere. But it’s the next man up mentality.
“So you got to continue getting guys back and healthy. So that comes from their process and recovery, But you have to find creative ways in practice, too, to make sure you’re getting what you need to get done at the standard you need to get done, but ultimately not just working the absolute dog out someone too. So I think there’s really an artsmanship to it. A craftsmanship to it. And we have to continue to work that, but it’s next man up mentality.”
The first SEC Availability Report will be released at 7:10 p.m. CT on Wednesday, and will be the first glimpse into Simmons’ status for the South Carolina game.
Not a subscriber? Join OUInsider now and get your first week for just $1. No, this deal is NOT too good to be true! Take advantage today and get the market’s best Oklahoma football and recruiting intel!
Click HERE to subscribe today!