Injuries happen in football. Without taking into consideration the high-contact nature of the sport, collegiate and professional athletes are attempting to do things that put an enormous strain on the body. It’s why we see non-contact injuries at every level. But that’s why a team never shies away from an opportunity to add talent to its depth chart.
The Oklahoma Sooners depth chart took a hit on Wednesday as it was reported that Wide Receiver Theo Wease suffered a lower body injury that was likely to keep him out for several weeks.
With Wease out, the Sooners will be without one of their top pass catchers. Wease tied for the team lead in receptions in 2020 with Marvin Mims.
With Mims starting in the slot, it looks like it will be Mike Woods and Jadon Haselwood starting on the outside in Wease’s absence.
Haselwood, the former five-star recruit hasn’t had the smoothest career for the Sooners. 2020 was derailed by injuries, but he looks poised to have a big season for the Sooners in 2021.
Woods comes to the Sooners from Arkansas where he averaged 19.3 yards per reception in 2020 with the Razorbacks. Despite his production, Woods is coming into a much better situation with Lincoln Riley, Spencer Rattler, and the Sooners than he had in Fayetteville. Even before Wease’s injury, Woods was a player that had a chance to become a star in 2021.
And then there’s Mario Williams who’s had a standout Spring and Fall and has thrust himself into the wide receiver rotation. Among the freshman trio that also includes Cody Jackson and Jalil Farooq, Williams has shown he’s ready to run with the first-team offense.
Unlike the running back position, which lost two important depth options last week, the wide receiver room looks more equipped to handle the loss of one of their starting wide receivers. Between Haselwood, Woods, and Williams, the Sooners have talented options that can step in and fill the void left by Theo Wease.
It’s never good losing a player with as much experience as Theo Wease but the Sooners are well stocked with options to carry the weight until he returns.
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