The injury bug continues to bite the Oklahoma Sooners in 2024. After losing two key players on the offensive side of the ball for the season due to injury (wide receiver Jayden Gibson and offensive lineman Geirean Hatchett), they’ve now lost a starter from the defense as well.
After suffering an injury last week in the loss against Tennessee, starting cheetah linebacker [autotag]Kendel Dolby[/autotag] will miss the remainder of the 2024 season. George Stoia, who covers Oklahoma for On3 Sports and SoonerScoop, took to social media to report the news, which was confirmed by head coach [autotag]Brent Venables[/autotag] on his Monday night coaches show.
Dolby had become a vital contributor for the Sooners in his senior season after having some breakout moments a year ago. After multiple players rotated through at cheetah in 2023, Dolby made the role his own in 2024. He was carted off the field after suffering an ankle injury in the second quarter against Tennessee. The home crowd and Dolby’s teammates came to the support of the senior as he was being taken off the field.
Dolby could come back next season despite this being his senior year. He missed the Tulane game with a concussion, meaning he’s only played in three games this year. That qualifies him for a redshirt season if he’s healthy enough and chooses to return to OU in 2025.
Replacing Dolby will not be easy. Behind him on the depth chart is sophomore [autotag]Samuel Omosigho[/autotag], who was thought to be the future of the position after Dolby was finished. He’ll be the primary player to be asked to step up and take over.
True freshman [autotag]Reggie Powers III[/autotag] will likely move into the backup role, though defensive coordinator [autotag]Zac Alley[/autotag] has lined up plenty of players at cheetah, depending on health and offensive personnel. Senior [autotag]Woodi Washington[/autotag] played there this season when Dolby was on the sideline. OU is also awaiting the return from injury of [autotag]Dasan McCullough[/autotag], who played plenty of cheetah last year. He had been moved to inside linebacker, but might move back outside if the staff sees fit.
Dolby took to social media after the game, simply posting “God, I trust you.”
https://twitter.com/kd_937/status/1837717149244444838
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