John Mateer Expected To Return “Sometime” This Season After Thumb Injury
Image: Morgan Givens/Oklahoma Athletics
By Aidan Sidoti
What an absolute BRUTAL blow to the Sooners.
Oklahoma star quarterback and Heisman Trophy favorite John Mateer will undergo surgery Wednesday on his right thumb and is expected to miss about a month, according to On3’s SoonerScoop.
ESPN’s Pete Thamel reported the injury is a broken bone in Mateer’s throwing hand which he suffered in the Sooners’ win over Auburn.
Mateer will travel to Los Angeles for the procedure.
Brent Venables confirmed the decision to proceed with surgery, calling it the best path for Mateer’s short and long-term future.
"After consulting with medical experts, it became clear that surgery is the best option for John and his short- and long-term future," Venables said. "He's extremely disappointed he will miss some game action but is eager to correct the issue and move forward. As he is with everything, we know he will be aggressive with his rehabilitation and work to return to the field as quickly as possible."
With Mateer sidelined, sophomore quarterback Michael Hawkins Jr. will take over the offense.
As a freshman, Hawkins Jr. appeared in seven games, throwing for 783 yards with three touchdowns and two interceptions, while adding 204 rushing yards and a score.
He now inherits a Sooners’ offense that is preparing for a daunting stretch that includes Texas, South Carolina, Ole Miss, and Tennessee.
The timeline suggests Mateer will return this fall, with his availability ultimately will depend on how he progresses through rehab.
It’s a storyline Vol fans will be watching closely ahead of Oklahoma’s Nov. 1 visit to Knoxville.
