Venables: Lewis' Knee Injury Not as Serious as Feared
Oklahoma coach Brent Venables said linebacker Kip Lewis received good news about his knee injury and could return sooner than expected. Lewis left Saturday's loss to Michigan. Venables also noted running back Tory Blaylock is healthy and will be a key piece going forward.
Lewis, a fifth-year veteran, anchors an Oklahoma linebacker unit that showed vulnerability during the 17-10 defeat in Ann Arbor. His 2024 production — 76 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, and four sacks across 13 starts — underscores his importance to the defensive scheme. Should he sit out Saturday against New Mexico, Owen Heinecke, Cole Sullivan, and James Nesta would absorb the bulk of snaps at the position.
The Sooners also addressed their backfield situation. Tory Blaylock, who managed just one carry against Michigan due to limited practice time, is now deemed fully healthy by Venables. Blaylock led the team with 480 rushing yards and four touchdowns as a true freshman in 2025. Meanwhile, Jonathan Hatton Jr. traveled to Ann Arbor but remained sidelined after aggravating an ankle injury during the UTEP game.
This update could provide a meaningful boost to Oklahoma's morale and defensive stability as the Sooners navigate a challenging early-season schedule. A quicker-than-expected return for Lewis may help the team avoid a prolonged slide in the rankings, which affects fan engagement, recruiting momentum, and postseason positioning. For supporters and the broader college football audience, the health of key players like Lewis and Blaylock shapes expectations for the remainder of the season, potentially influencing how the program is perceived nationally.