John Mateer Injury Update
Oklahoma’s quarterback room went from “dream season” to “broken dreams” in one weekend. John Mateer, the dude everyone’s been talking about, the former Washington State transfer who basically gave the Sooners the spark they needed, cracked a bone in his throwing hand during last Saturday’s win over Auburn. Yeah, he played through most of that game! That’s toughness. Threw for 271 yards, tossed one touchdown, ran for another. Oklahoma eked out the win, but right after, the air in Norman felt, well, tense. That’s sports: you go from shouting to holding your breath.
Quick food for thought: I’ve been in those locker rooms after a player gets hurt. It’s not just worry it’s disbelief, disappointment, a whole range of emotions you see on guys’ faces. I bet Mateer felt some of that too. Coach Venables said pretty plainly that surgery is “the best option for John and his short- and long-term future,” but admitted everyone’s disappointed. Mateer’s not just anybody, either; he was near the top of the Heisman race and probably kept a trophy shop on standby for the week that he was healthy.
Timeline? Not perfectly clear yet, maybe a month out, maybe more. The docs fix the hand on September 24. After that, it’s rehab and prayers; the bone heals fast, maybe a couple weeks of tossing Nerf balls before he’s allowed anywhere near a linebacker. Some say he’ll miss the Red River Rivalry vs Texas; others hold out hope for an October comeback. If I were a betting man, I’d say he returns before Halloween, but only if his hand decides to play along.
In the meantime, it’s Michael Hawkins Jr. taking snaps. He’s good, but let’s be honest, he’s not Mateer, at least not yet. Hope Hawkins eats his Wheaties, because Oklahoma faces some gnarly defenses soon. The fans are nervous. One guy I know from Norman said, “It feels like my fantasy team just got a flat tire.” That’s about right. But if Mateer’s attitude is anything like what the coaches say, aggressive rehab and all, then maybe Sooners fans can still dream a little longer. Fingers crossed. Or maybe, for Mateer, just one very important thumb.
