Oklahoma star DE Ronnie Perkins, RB Rhamondre Stevenson expected to play Saturday

The boost Oklahoma could have potentially got after the midway point of the season is almost entirely happening. 

The boost Oklahoma could have potentially got after the midway point of the season is almost entirely happening.

Star defensive end Ronnie Perkins, wide receiver Trejan Bridges and running back Rhamondre Stevenson have had to be on the sidelines for the 2020 season stemming from a suspension they each received at the end of the 2019 season. For two of them, that wait is expected to be over.

The three failed a drug a test that has forced them to miss 50 percent of this season and the game against LSU in the Peach Bowl. Lincoln Riley had no update this entire week on their suspensions with the 50 percent threshold being met ahead of the Texas Tech game.

KWTV News 9 Sports reported late Friday night that Perkins and Stevenson will play against the Red Raiders. Sooners Wire can confirm that the two were added to the travel roster Friday morning and traveled with the expectation that both would play against Texas Tech.

Perkins was expected to play against Iowa State at the beginning of Oct. after receiving a special NCAA appeal to lift the suspension. However, he ended up spending the last three games still on the sidelines or not at the game. Oklahoma did not and has not required reason for that happening.

The other player suspended, Bridges, did not travel with team down to Lubbock, Texas, for Saturday’s game and stopped practicing with the Oklahoma offense at some point this week. Sooners Wire does not know the reasoning behind it.

Perkins has been a two-year starter for Oklahoma and been one of the best players not just in the Big 12, but in the entire country. He recorded 38 tackles in 12 games in 2019, with 13.5 of those coming for loss and having six sacks.

Stevenson would be the Sooners’ starting running back if it weren’t for his suspensions. The 6 foot, 246 pound bowling ball has a chance to be a breakout star by the end of 2020.

Oklahoma and Texas Tech are slated to kickoff at 7 p.m. CT from Lubbock, Texas.

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