Oklahoma quarterback John Mateer is pushing to return for Saturday’s rivalry game against Texas, ESPN reported on Tuesday.
Mateer had surgery on Sept. 24 on his right (throwing) hand after sustaining a broken bone during a 24-17 win against then-No. 22 Auburn on Sept. 20. The initial recovery timeline was estimated at one month.
The sixth-ranked Sooners (5-0, 1-0 Southeastern Conference) have only played one game since then, with backup Michael Hawkins Jr. leading a 44-0 win against Kent State last Saturday in Norman, Okla.
If Mateer can’t go, Hawkins would start Saturday’s Red River Rivalry game in Dallas against quarterback Arch Manning and the Longhorns (3-2, 0-1).
“I don’t know when John Mateer will be back, really not even anything to talk about,” Oklahoma coach Brent Venables said Monday. “He’s on a progression through however long it takes those injuries to heal.”
A Washington State transfer, Mateer became the early Heisman Trophy frontrunner before the injury. He passed for 1,215 yards, six touchdowns and three interceptions and rushed for 190 yards and five scores in four games. The redshirt junior also led OU to a 24-13 victory against then-No. 15 Michigan on Sept. 6.