An already thin linebacker corps just became thinner. According to a report from Parker Thune of OUInsider and 247Sports, the Oklahoma Sooners will be without linebacker Shane Whitter for the remainder of the season.
In his third season with the Sooners, Whitter suffered a shoulder injury, making him the second Sooners linebacker to be lost for the season. In fall camp, T.D. Roof suffered an elbow injury.
Oklahoma’s depth at linebacker is being tested. As Thune mentions, the Sooners have just four scholarship linebackers that have played this season for Oklahoma.
There’s the starting trio of Danny Stutsman, David Ugwoegbu and (Cheetah) DaShaun White along with true freshman Jaren Kanak.
Source: #Sooners LB Shane Whitter is out for the season due to a left shoulder injury, leaving Oklahoma with just four active scholarship linebackers.
Not out of the question that Brent Venables pulls the redshirt from Kobie McKinzie and/or Kip Lewis at this rate.
— Parker Thune (@ParkerThune) October 6, 2022
Whitter had appeared in three games for the Oklahoma Sooners and played 49 snaps.
The loss of Whitter stretches the linebacker group, especially on special teams. More opportunities could be on the horizon for Kanak, Jake McCoy, and true freshmen Kobie McKinzie and Kip Lewis. As Thune notes, it appeared the plan was to redshirt both linebackers, but that may have been dashed with the latest injury.
[listicle id=73049]
[listicle id=73043]
Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions. Let us know your thoughts, and comment on this story below. Join the conversation today. You can also follow John on Twitter @john9williams.