OU head coach Brent Venables gives lengthy Sooners injury report

Almost went an entire press conference with OU head coach Brent Venables without being asked about the injury situation.

But when we got there Tuesday morning, it’s quite a bit of ground for the Sooners to cover. Oklahoma will not enter preseason camp Thursday with everybody available.

Venables didn’t say anybody is flat-out done for the season, but it will take some time for a few guys to return to the lineup for OU in 2023.

Defense

Starting on defense and defensive tackle Jacob Lacey.

“He had some blood clots and he’s in a really good place,” Venables said. “There’s a lot of what you don’t know, but based on his progress and doctors and tests and things of that nature, you’ll see him back in one of the sooner target dates. Probably the latter part of September or so. He’s doing a lot, conditioning and lifting, but he’s no-contact right now. He’s in great spirits and a really good place mentally.”

Staying in the interior with Phil Paea. A post-spring transfer addition from Utah State, Paea is working his way back from an ACL.

“He’s a guy that’s coming off an ACL last season and he might have some limitations right now, it often does,” Venables said. “Might some collateral issues just to work through.”

The news is better regarding linebacker Shane Whitter. He missed the majority of last season with a shoulder injury. Venables said he is back at full-go for OU.

The cornerback room wasn’t a concern, but there are a couple of safeties in Robert Spears-Jennings and Erik McCarty.

“Robert-Spears, he’s had shoulder, a labrum surgery mid-way through spring and we expect him to be back,” Venables said. “He’s doing everything non-contact right now and he’s doing great. We expect him some time probably in September or so.

“McCarty, he’s right on target, so we’re gonna ease him right back into other things and he’s been doing really well. Unless he has some setbacks, we’ll ease him on into fall camp and see what he can do, and try to help still protect him. My experience with the ACL’s, and I mean this is a linebacker coach, but I’ve been doing it for a while, it usually takes one year from the calendar date of the injury to get back to what you were — mentally, physically — all those things.”

OU Offense

Offensively, tight ends Jason Llewelyn and Kaden Helms continue to battle through their injuries that go back to spring. Same with running back Emeka Megwa and wide receiver J.J. Hester.

“Llewellyn, he’s been snake bit too since he’s been here, but I do think he’ll be back,” Venables said. “Emeka will be a little bit limited. He’ll be close. … J.J. Hester, he’s not going to be available for a little while. Thompson’s done a phenomenal job. He’ll be a few days before he gets back out there.

“Not sure when he’ll (Helms) get back. Hate it for him. He works incredibly hard and he’s fighting like heck to get back.”

Offensive line is a couple of familiar names as well with tackles Jacob Sexton and Walter Rouse. Sexton is working his way back from an ACL and Rouse is now full-go from a torn labrum.

“Jacob Sexton, he’ll probably be ready to play,” Venables said. “He’s ahead of his timeline and has looked terrific. We’re gonna really work hard on trying to protect him, because he’s just naturally eager and aggressive. We don’t want to put him in a compromising position so we’re going to help with that. Sometime in the middle to later September is when he’ll have a full clearance, if you will. And he’s ahead of the curve to be honest with you. 

“Walter, we didn’t see him in the spring, but he’s been cleared just after the spring and will be ready to go.”

OU begins practice Thursday and is now 32 days away from the season opener vs. Arkansas State.