Oklahoma wide receiver Jalil Farooq is expected to be sidelined for six to eight weeks after breaking his foot during Friday night’s season-opening 51-3 victory over Temple, according to coach Brent Venables. The injury will require surgery.
Farooq, a senior, caught a 47-yard pass from quarterback Jackson Arnold in the first quarter before leaving the game later in the same quarter. He was seen limping to the locker room with assistance from the medical staff. Given Venables’ timeline, Oklahoma will likely be without Farooq until at least late October.
This injury marks the second significant setback for the Sooners’ wide receiver corps in recent weeks. Junior Jayden Gibson is anticipated to miss the entire season due to a severe knee injury sustained during fall camp earlier this month. Additionally, redshirt sophomore Nic Anderson, who scored 10 touchdowns last season, missed Oklahoma’s opener due to an injury and is currently listed as day-to-day.
Last season, Farooq, as a junior, set career highs with 45 receptions and 694 receiving yards. One of the most dependable deep threats during the Venables era, the 6-foot-1 receiver has recorded 82 catches for 1,160 yards and seven touchdowns over the past two seasons.
Against Temple, six Oklahoma wide receivers made at least one reception, including Farooq. Purdue transfer Deion Burks led the group with six catches for 36 yards and three touchdowns in his Sooners debut. Junior Brenen Thompson followed with four receptions, while Andrel Anthony, who missed the previous season due to a knee injury, registered one catch in his return.
No. 16 Oklahoma capitalized on six Temple turnovers, turning them into 33 points and riding a strong performance from Arnold (17-for-25, 141 yards, 4 touchdowns) in his first regular-season start.
The Sooners are set to host Houston in Week 2.
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