OU receiver Andrel Anthony to miss season with injury
OU will be without one of its top wide receivers the rest of the season, with Andrel Anthony having season-ending knee surgery. Anthony injured his left knee during Oklahoma’s 34-30 win over Texas on Saturday.
Head coach Brent Venables announced the news Monday after practice.
“It’s tough,” Venables said. “You hate it for him. We have other guys. You hate it for Andrel and how hard he’s worked. We got to 6-0. He had a big part in helping us get there. Again, all of his best football is in front of him. He’ll have a great career on the back end of this surgery. He doesn’t have much swelling. That usually means it’s a little quicker recovery for him. I hate that for him, but it gives some of the guys an opportunity.”
Anthony has been one of OU’s best playmakers this season, totaling 27 receptions for 429 yards and one touchdown. His 429 receiving yards are the most on the team. Anthony transferred to OU after two seasons at Michigan and still has a year of eligibility remaining, and could earn another with a medical redshirt.
Anthony addressed the situation on social media.
OU will likely look to Nic Anderson and Jayden Gibson to help fill Anthony’s void. Both Anderson and Gibson have been great playmakers for the Sooners and are capable in replacing Anthony. But Anthony’s speed on the outside might be hard to replicate, which is why Texas transfer Brenen Thompson and true freshman Jaquiaze Pettaway could also help fill the role.
In other injury news, Venables said starting right guard McKade Mettauer sprained his ankle and that he dodged what many thought might have been a serious injury when he was carted off the field.
“We’re looking at best-case scenario for him,” Venables said. “He’ll be back sooner rather than later.”
Venables also added that starting cornerback Gentry Williams, who left the game in the fourth quarter, is “fine.”
