2 min read • October 06, 2022
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The Oklahoma Sooners are coming off two heartbreaking losses versus Kansas State and TCU. Their most recent loss stings the most as they lost their starting quarterback Dillon Gabriel to a concussion.
The UCF transfer quarterback was scrambling to his left when he was struck by a TCU defender while trying to slide. The hit ended with Gabriel lying motionless on the ground and a TCU defender ejected for targeting.
According to our College Football Docs, Gabriel is unlikely to play this week because he’s in concussion protocol.
ESPN's Pete Thamel said this about Gabriels’ injury, “Well, right now Dillon Gabriel is not practicing as Brent Venables just said a minute ago, and Oklahoma is preparing to play without him,” Thamel said CFB Live. “They’re giving three of their backup quarterbacks snaps in practice.”
Davis Beville, a transfer from Pitt, is expected to start in Gabriels’ absence. But the junior quarterback has thrown less than 40 passes in his career at Pitt. He completed 22 of 32 passes for 237 yards, one touchdown with one interception.
Starting safety, Billy Bowman Jr was injured in the team's game against TCU. He suffered a right leg injury and is reported to be questionable to play this week. When Bowman returned from the locker room, he didn’t have on pads or his uniform. Oklahoma head coach Brent Venables said this about Bowman’s injury at his Monday press conference, “First time he’s ever been hurt in his career,” said Venables. He hadn’t been an injury-prone guy and was thankful that it wasn’t worse than it could have been.”
Running Back Eric Gray suffered an undisclosed injury last weekend that kept him out of the remainder of the game. Gray has started the season off hot, averaging 7 yards per carry, and amassing 460 yards rushing. If Gray cannot go, look for rookie Javantae Barnes to take the majority of carries.
The Red River Showdown could be decided this year by which quarterbacks play. Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers has been out since being slammed to the ground by an Alabama defender that caused him to suffer a SC joint sprain.
But, according to our College Football Docs, Ewers is likely to make his awaited return this week, and if he has lingering pain, he can get an injection. He’s unlikely to cause further damage to the shoulder after the team has been cautious with his return.
Ewers’s injury recovery timeline was 4-6 weeks, and this Saturday marks the earliest point he could return.
In the NFL, we’ve seen Jerry Jeudy play with a less severe form of SC joint sprain, and he didn’t miss any time. Now, he does play a different position than Ewers. But this shows that it’s possible to play with the injury.
The Texas Longhorns are favored by 7 points, and the over/under is 65.5, according to FanDuel Sportsbook.
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