Injuries Continue to Strike Sooners

Originally Published: Nov 10, 2009 12:51 PM CDT

Corey DeMoss
Oklahoma Sports Staff Writer

NORMAN, Oklahoma – The Oklahoma Sooners’ beleaguered offensive line took another hit Tuesday, as head coach Bob Stoops announced that guard Jarvis Jones will miss the rest of the season.

Jones suffered a fractured heel in the Sooners' 10-3 loss to Nebraska Saturday. He came into the game late in the first half after starting guard Brody Eldridge left with an apparent shoulder injury. Stoops said Monday that Eldridge will also miss the rest of the season, but clarified Tuesday that the injury is actually to Eldridge’s neck.

The offensive line has struggled to maintain any consistency this season, with several different players shifting in and out of the starting lineup. The injuries to Eldridge and Jones leave the Sooners vulnerable at left guard, and coaches will likely have to move players to different positions once again.

The loss of Eldridge is particularly damaging. Bob Stoops has repeatedly called him the team’s best blocker, and he has been used at three different positions – tight end, center and guard – this season, which means the Sooners’ depth at all three positions will suffer.

Jarvis Jones is a transfer from LSU who has been part of OU's rotation at both tackle and guard. He is a redshirt sophomore, so he will still be able to return for the next two seasons.

Jones joins five other Sooners – Eldridge, quarterback Sam Bradford, tight end Jermaine Gresham, defensive end Auston English and linebacker Tom Wort – who will miss the rest of the season due to injury.