Brent Venables and the No. 7-ranked Oklahoma football team will have to operate without quarterback John Mateer for the next few weeks.
After suffering a thumb injury in Week 4 against Auburn, the team has confirmed that Mateer will undergo hand surgery, On3 Sports reported. However, while the injury will sideline him for “three or more weeks,” he is expected to return at some point in the 2025 season, per On3 Sports' Brett McMurphy.
The injury was not immediately noticeable, but it clearly impacted Mateer, who kept reaching for his hand throughout the Auburn game. After the 24-17 victory, Venables said the team evaluated its quarterback and decided that he needed surgery, according to ESPN's Pete Thamel.
“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, via Thamel.
Thamel added that the injury occurred in the first quarter of the game. The team is confirming that it is a broken bone in his throwing hand.
Oklahoma has not made an official announcement, but it will likely turn to sophomore Michael Hawkins once it comes out of its bye on Oct. 4 against Kent State. Hawkins juggled the starting job with Jackson Arnold in 2024, starting three games as a freshman.
For now, Mateer's 2025 season halts with 1,215 passing yards, six touchdowns, three interceptions, 190 rushing yards and five rushing touchdowns. He emerged as the Heisman Trophy frontrunner before going down.
Oklahoma football's immediate outlook with John Mateer injury
As unfortunate as the situation is, Oklahoma is fortunate to have an additional week to prepare for being without Mateer. However, after they face Kent State, the Sooners' schedule is unforgiving.
Oklahoma will return to SEC play on Oct. 11, when it travels to Dallas for the 2025 Red River Rivalry game. Texas has looked far from perfect thus far, but is still ranked No. 10 and off to a 3-1 start to the year.
Following that game, the Sooners remain on the road to face South Carolina. The Gamecocks are currently unranked, but began the year as a top-15 team and came close to upsetting No. 20 Missouri in Week 4.
Oklahoma faces No. 13 Ole Miss in Week 9 and No. 15 Tennessee in Week 10 before its second bye week. Without Mateer, Venables figures to enter four of his next five games as an underdog.
While Mateer's return remains unclear, Oklahoma will need to win at least three of its next five games if it wishes to remain in SEC title contention. The Sooners will certainly need him back before ending the year against Alabama, Missouri and LSU.
