Sooners coach Brent Venables announced Monday during his radio show that Geirean Hatchett, an offensive lineman who transferred from Washington, will miss the rest of the season after undergoing surgery to repair a bicep injury. Hatchett started Oklahoma’s season opener at left guard, later shifting to center during the second offensive drive, but he didn’t suit up for Oklahoma’s 16-12 win against Houston last weekend.
The 6-foot-5, 318-pound lineman was one of five offensive line transfers brought in to rebuild the unit after Oklahoma lost its entire starting offensive line from the previous season, along with other key contributors to the NFL Draft, graduation, or the transfer portal.
Hatchett, who missed spring practice recovering from an ankle injury sustained last season at Washington, has dealt with the bicep issue since the preseason. He wore a brace on his left arm during the season opener against Temple and acknowledged it was something he would have to manage for the season. However, a week later, Hatchett’s season has officially ended.
In his only game with the Sooners, Hatchett played 51 snaps, starting at left guard before moving to center after Branson Hickman injured his ankle on the second drive. Hatchett remained at center until the starters were pulled in the fourth quarter.
Before Oklahoma’s game against Houston, Hatchett participated in early warmups but was later seen in street clothes and was unavailable to play. In his absence, along with Hickman being ruled out, Oklahoma started redshirt freshman Joshua Bates at center and Jacob Sexton at left guard.
Hatchett’s injury is the latest in a string of significant injuries for Oklahoma’s offense, which has faced early challenges this season. Offensive lineman Troy Everett is still recovering from a knee injury suffered in March, and wide receiver Jayden Gibson is out for the season after a knee injury in fall camp. Starting wide receiver Jalil Farooq broke his foot in the season opener and will be out for six to eight weeks. Additionally, wide receiver Andrel Anthony is still easing back after ACL surgery, and Nic Anderson has yet to play due to a preseason injury. V
enables mentioned that Anderson might return this weekend against Tulane or for Oklahoma’s SEC opener against Tennessee on Sept. 21.
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