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…