NCAA FB

Sooners lose lineman Evans to injury

Share This Story

Updated Aug 6, 2012 11:25 PM ET
     
 

NORMAN, Okla. (AP)

Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops is staying positive even as training camp has brought a series of unfortunate twists.

OKLAHOMA SOONERS

An MRI on Monday revealed that starting offensive guard Tyler Evans tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee at the start of camp, yet another blow to a Sooners squad that was already going to be without five other players for the upcoming season.

Stoops revealed after Monday morning's practice that Evans was running down the field during the Sooners' first practice of training camp on Friday when he was hurt. By the evening, the news came back that Evans would be out for the season.

''We feel badly for Tyler and will certainly encourage him through the surgery and rehab,'' Stoops said. ''Bronson Irwin has been playing well and we're fortunate to have good depth. He'll get a lot of reps in the preseason and we'll be ready to go when the season gets here.''

Evans was Oklahoma's most experienced lineman left after starting center Ben Habern gave up the sport just last week because of lingering neck and back issues. Evans, a senior, has 29 career starts and had been in the lineup for the past 13 games. Habern, another senior, had started 30 games.

''It's a couple of tough breaks but we've still got guys in there that we really like,'' Stoops said. ''I bragged about Bronson Irwin all winter and spring. I can tell he's in great shape here this summer. He must have did a great job. He'll have to really step up. But yeah, it makes you a little more thin.''

In part because of Habern's broken arm last season, the interior offensive line appeared in the offseason to be one of the deepest spots on the team. Gabe Ikard had moved over to center, and Adam Shead had replaced Ikard at guard. All of the group — plus Evans — was returning.

Now, the hits are starting to pile up along the line.

Lineman Will Latu was one of two junior college transfers, along with receiver Courtney Gardner, who didn't make it into school and reserve lineman Dylan Dismuke sustained a career-ending injury.

On Monday, Stoops said incoming freshman John Michael McGee was given the day off from practice because he was feeling homesick and needed to decide whether he wanted to play.

At this point, the middle of the line will likely feature Ikard at center with Shead, a sophomore, and Irwin, a junior, at guard.

''It's an opportunity for the next guy, whoever it is. . . . They're working hard,'' said James Patton, who coaches the guards and centers. ''It happens now. At least we plan for those things. If it happens late in the season, we've got to have a plan for that.''

Some good news could be on the way. Receiver Justin Brown, who left Penn State, is expected to join the Sooners although Stoops said he couldn't comment on the situation because Brown hasn't signed any scholarship paperwork at Oklahoma yet.

Stoops refused to let all of the negative developments get him down.

''Every year when you're dealing with 105 guys, you're going to have some of that,'' he said. ''Who doesn't? Everybody gets a guy hurt, everybody has a guy quit, everybody has a guy transfer. I don't think we're much different than about anyone else.''

For him, the bottom line was this: ''I don't see anything here so far that should hold us back very much.''

Tagged: Penn State, Gabe Ikard, Ben Habern, Bronson Irwin, Oklahoma, Tyler Evans

Related Stories

Member Comments

Please note by clicking on "Post comment" you acknowledge that you have read the Terms of Use and the comment you are posting is in compliance with such terms. Be Polite. Inappropriate posts may be removed by the moderator.

powered by
FOX Fantasy Football


Trending Now

Stories | Photos | Lists | Videos

NCAA FB Videos

HBO Real Sports: Bill O'Brien Posted: May 20, 2013
Penn State coach and 2012 National Coach of the Year shares the challenges in tu...

Horrow: College Football Business Report Posted: May 20, 2013
Rick Horrow has the latest college football business news.

Horrow: CFB Business Report Posted: May 13, 2013
Rick Horrow has the latest college football business news, including a TV deal b...

MORE FOXSPORTS VIDEO »

Fox Sports Store

    itemName itemURL imageSrc price itemDescription
    Nike Florida Gators Gridiron 2012 Team Issue T-Shirt - Royal Blue http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_Florida_Gators/browse/featuredproduct/759777/source/foxsports_prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_759000/ff_759777_xl.jpg&w=100 24.95 Nike Florida Gators Gridiron 2012 Team Issue T-Shirt - Royal Blue
    Nike Michigan State Spartans Football 2012 Team Issue T-Shirt - White http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_Michigan_State_Spartans/browse/featuredproduct/760171/source/foxsports_prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_760000/ff_760171_xl.jpg&w=100 24.95 Nike Michigan State Spartans Football 2012 Team Issue T-Shirt - White
    Nike USC Trojans Fight On My School T-Shirt - Cardinal http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_USC_Trojans/browse/featuredproduct/761373/source/foxsports_prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_761000/ff_761373_xl.jpg&w=100 24.95 Nike USC Trojans Fight On My School T-Shirt - Cardinal
    Nike Alabama Crimson Tide Elite Force Coaches Sideline Performance Polo - Crimson http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_Alabama_Crimson_Tide/browse/featuredproduct/829709/source/foxsports_prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_829000/ff_829709_xl.jpg&w=100 64.95 Nike Alabama Crimson Tide Elite Force Coaches Sideline Performance Polo - Crimso..
    Nike LSU Tigers Elite Force Coaches Sideline Performance Polo - Purple http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_LSU_Tigers/browse/featuredproduct/829740/source/foxsports_prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_829000/ff_829740_xl.jpg&w=100 49.99 Nike LSU Tigers Elite Force Coaches Sideline Performance Polo - Purple
    Nike Oklahoma Sooners Legacy 91 Dri-FIT Adjustable Coaches Cap - Crimson http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_Oklahoma_Sooners/browse/featuredproduct/830935/source/foxsports_prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_830000/ff_830935_xl.jpg&w=100 21.95 Nike Oklahoma Sooners Legacy 91 Dri-FIT Adjustable Coaches Cap - Crimson
    adidas Notre Dame Fighting Irish Hot Sideline Jacket - Navy Blue http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_Notre_Dame_Fighting_Irish/browse/featuredproduct/861243/source/foxsports_prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_861000/ff_861243_xl.jpg&w=100 69.95 adidas Notre Dame Fighting Irish Hot Sideline Jacket - Navy Blue
    adidas Nebraska Cornhuskers Sideline Hot Quarter Zip Jacket - Scarlet http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_Nebraska_Cornhuskers/browse/featuredproduct/861247/source/foxsports_prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_861000/ff_861247_xl.jpg&w=100 69.95 adidas Nebraska Cornhuskers Sideline Hot Quarter Zip Jacket - Scarlet
    Nike Alabama Crimson Tide 2012 BCS National Champions Players Locker Room Snapback Hat - Charcoal/Black http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_Alabama_Crimson_Tide/browse/featuredproduct/1087345/source/foxsports_prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_1087000/ff_1087345_xl.jpg&w=100 29.95 Nike Alabama Crimson Tide 2012 BCS National Champions Players Locker Room Snapba..
    Nike Alabama Crimson Tide 2012 BCS National Champions Locker Room T-Shirt - Ash http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_Alabama_Crimson_Tide/browse/featuredproduct/1093431/source/foxsports_prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_1093000/ff_1093431_xl.jpg&w=100 24.95 Nike Alabama Crimson Tide 2012 BCS National Champions Locker Room T-Shirt - Ash
Microsoft© 2013 Microsoft