Jalil Farooq re-injured his right foot and will require surgery to insert a screw after leaving Friday night’s victory over Temple in the first quarter.
Oklahoma will be without another wide receiver.
OU head coach Brent Venables revealed Friday night, following the Sooners’ season-opening 51-3 victory over Temple, that receiver Jalil Farooq will miss 6-8 weeks due to a right foot injury. Venables said Farooq will need surgery to insert a screw into his foot, which was injured and held him out of spring camp. Farooq departed Friday night’s game in the first quarter, staggering off the field.
Farooq was an All-Big 12 honorable mention last season, catching 45 catches for 694 yards and two touchdowns. He scored five times in 2022.
“Hate it for him,” Venables added. “(He) had a fantastic camping experience. But hopefully, we’ll get him back in about a month and a half.”
Center Branson Hickman, a transfer from SMU, also left early after appearing to sprain his right ankle. After the game, Venables stated that Hickman had an ankle strain but did not know the extent of the damage yet. In his Sooners debut on Friday night, Hickman started at center.
The Sooners entered the contest already without several players due to injuries. Cornerback Woodi Washington, offensive lineman Jake Taylor, and cornerback Eli Bowen all missed the season opener, but Venables said afterward that all three were cleared to play but were held out as a precaution. Gentry Williams, a defensive back, played on a limited basis.
Farooq was not OU’s first huge hit at receiver due to injuries. Nic Anderson will be unavailable for the opening, Venables revealed on Wednesday. That came on top of Jayden Gibson’s season-ending injury during fall camp.
“We’ll see how it all works out when it’s said and done, but we do have a good group of young players there, as well,” Venables informed the crowd. “We have a good receiving room. At some point, you can’t keep taking hits. You’ve lost two extremely good players there. But we’re certain that a handful of guys will step forward.”