NORMAN, Okla. — Oklahoma has not released a comprehensive medical update entering New Mexico week, leaving several players’ statuses to be pieced together from Brent Venables’ public comments, postgame interviews and Tuesday’s practice availability.
Here is what is known — and what remains unconfirmed.
Kip Lewis
Lewis left Oklahoma’s loss at Michigan, briefly returned and then exited again. Venables said afterward that the linebacker would “miss some time.” During Sooners Sports Talk, Venables offered a more encouraging assessment without giving a specific timetable.
“Kip was doing some good things — didn’t play long — but I think we got maybe some good news there,” Venables said. “He’ll be back sooner than maybe we initially thought. So that’s not me being optimistic.”
Cornerback Eli Bowen said Tuesday that Oklahoma’s leadership structure cannot depend on one player.
“I don’t think it’s been much different because we have more than one leader on the team,” Bowen said. “It’s a tough situation, but we’ve got to keep going.”
Any specific return date for Lewis remains unconfirmed publicly, but Venables’ language indicates the initial concern has eased.
Michael Boganowski
Venables praised Boganowski’s performance at Michigan, saying the linebacker played downhill, struck people and handled his run fits and coverage responsibilities well. On Sooners Sports Talk, Venables said Boganowski recorded 10 tackles in the first half and called him “a missile,” adding that the game is beginning to slow down for him. Venables did not characterize Boganowski as injured during the show.
Michael Fasusi
Fasusi did not play at Michigan after dealing with a shoulder issue. Venables described the tackle postgame as a short-term absence and said Oklahoma knew during the week that Fasusi would be unavailable. During Sooners Sports Talk, the discussion centered on how the absence forced Oklahoma to move Ryan Fodje to left tackle and reconfigure the line. Venables did not provide a more precise Fasusi timetable.
Trell Harris
Spoke to a source or two today and was able to confirm reports on Oklahoma on WR Trell Harris. Source said it was “not great.” Also added, “It’s an internal situation.” I straight up asked if it was a lacerated liver from the shot that he took in the second quarter of Saturdays game at Michigan and source responded, “it’s something like that. He is gonna be out a while.”
Obviously, I asked how he played through that and another source added, “I honestly don’t know. He was hurting. But Trell is as tough as they come.”
Honestly, it’s crazy how he played the game through that situation — whatever the exact prognosis is.
As for exact timeline? I have not been given any exact determination on that just yet, though I am still digging.
Venables was asked about Trell Harris just last night on Sooners Sports talk with Teddy Lehman and Chris Plank. This is what the Oklahoma head coach said in response to the play of Trell Harris and that hit in the second quarter.
“Trell Harris, you know, he took that tough shot on a crossing route. I don’t know if he got a rib or what, but tough effort to get back out there,” Venables said of the veteran WR that OU added this past offseason. “He’s made some nice catches, but I’ve liked what he’s done blocking. Guy’s played really fast. He’s tough. He’s played college football—you can see that. He’s really competitive. He’s got excellent functional strength. He’s a really good football player and plays big, plays strong. He’s a real weapon. He’s definitely fun to watch.”
I will keep you updated on things as I get them.
UPDATE ON TRELL HARRIS:
Trell Harris
Harris absorbed a violent hit while making a catch at Michigan and returned to finish the game. Venables said Monday that the receiver remained under evaluation but confirmed Oklahoma expects to be without him beyond New Mexico week.
“He’s going to be out for the foreseeable future,” Venables said.
Venables did not publicly specify the injury or provide a return timetable.
Tory Blaylock
Blaylock returned against Michigan after only getting back into team practice late in the week. Venables said Oklahoma was uncertain whether the running back would feel well enough to play.
“When he’s 100 percent healthy — which we think he is now — he’s a dynamic player,” Venables said.
That is the clearest public indication that Blaylock has moved beyond the issue that limited his preparation.
Jonathan Hatton
Venables said Hatton entered the Michigan game “banged up” and had missed several preparation days. He was nevertheless available to play. Venables did not identify a setback or announce a new limitation entering New Mexico week.
Oklahoma’s official availability picture should become clearer later in the week. For now, the firmest public information is that Lewis received encouraging news but has no announced return date, Blaylock is believed to be healthy, Hatton was available despite limited Michigan preparation, Fasusi has no new public timetable, Boganowski played and produced against the Wolverines, and Okoye remains engaged in practice and the defensive-line competition.
