Oklahoma vs. South Carolina: Initial injury report for Week 9
Oklahoma vs. South Carolina: Initial injury report for Week 9
John Williams, Sooners WireThu, October 29, 2026 at 2:16 AM UTC
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The Oklahoma Sooners have had lengthy availability reports for much of the season, but the Wednesday night report ahead of their game against South Carolina is long. 15 players are listed on the initial injury update, with eight players already ruled out for Week 9.
On offense, key players like Ryan Fodje and Eddy Pierre-Louis aren't close to returning and were ruled out for this week. However, guard Heath Ozaeta could make his first appearance since the win over Texas. Ozaeta was listed as probable. If he's able to play, that provides Oklahoma a valuable piece to their interior offensive line rotation. If he's able to play, it's likely Ozaeta slides back into the starting lineup, but could platoon with Peyton Joseph, who has had some ups and downs for the Sooners over the last two weeks.
The other name to watch on the offensive line is center Jake Maikkula. Maikkula was injured in the win over Mississippi State and was replaced by Caleb Nitta. Nitta played well, and Oklahoma will need him again this week against the Gamecocks if Maikkula can't play. If Nitta gets the start, it would be the eighth straight game the Oklahoma Sooners have used a new starting offensive line combination.
Also on offense, starting wide receiver Elijah Thomas won't be back this week after missing the Mississippi State game. That likely means another start for Manny Choice and perhaps Parker Livingstone when the Oklahoma Sooners are in three-wide receiver sets.
It also looks like running back Xavier Robinson could be available this week. The Carl Albert product hasn't played since the Week 4 loss to Georgia and saw fewer than 10 snaps in back-to-back weeks before suffering a calf strain. He'll battle with Jonathan Hatton for the third running back carries as Lloyd Avant and Tory Blaylock have established themselves as the Sooners' 1-2 punch in the running back rotation.
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Defensively, the Oklahoma Sooners have big questions. Rotational linebacker Cole Sullivan was ruled out for this week. Safety Peyton Bowen and cornerback Eli Bowen are both questionable for Week 9. Both Bowens are key pieces to the Sooners' defense, and against a good South Carolina passing attack, Peyton's presence is critical. He's one of the best safeties in college football. If he can't play, it'll be Omarion Robinson and Michael Boganowski starting at the safety spots, and potentially Reggie Powers mixing into the rotation.
If Eli is out, Trystan Haynes would likely get another start. He's been solid since entering the starting lineup against the Texas Longhorns and would need to be at his best this week if called upon to start.
Injuries have once again been a key storyline for the Sooners in the 2026 season. If the key players listed as questionable and probable can be available for this week, it would give the Sooners a boost on both sides of the football.
Oklahoma Sooners Availability Report
Player
Position
Designation
Taylor Heim
Out
Dakoda Fields
Out
Trell Harris
Out
Cole Sullivan
Out
Trynae Washington
Out
Jacobe Johnson
Out
Eddy Pierre-Louis
Out
Ryan Fodje
Out
Elijah Thomas
Doubtful
Eli Bowen
Questionable
Peyton Bowen
Questionable
Jake Maikkula
Questionable
Fred Hinton
Questionable
Xavier Robinson
Probable
Heath Ozaeta
Probable
South Carolina Gamecocks Availability Report
Player
Position
Designation
Jayden Sellers
Out
Kobby Sakyi-Prah
Out
Josiah Thompson
Out
Dayne Arnett
Out
Seth Smith
Out
Quay'sheed Scott
Doubtful
Jawarn Howell
Doubtful
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This article originally appeared on Sooners Wire: Oklahoma vs. South Carolina: Initial injury report for Week 9
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