Brent Venables details how John Mateer’s health has improved in return from injury
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Oklahoma is in must-win mode for the rest of the season as it attempts to crash the College Football Playoff with two losses to its name, and the Sooners would like to have their starting quarterback playing like his old self when they visit Alabama on Saturday.
Mateer broke a bone in his throwing hand during Oklahoma’s clash with Auburn on Sept. 20, but he returned to start in the Red Rivalry Game just 17 days later.
Still, Mateer has yet to complete more than 20 passes or throw for over 230 yards since returning from the injury, and the Sooners have lost two games in the meantime.
But according to head coach Brent Venables, Mateer’s hand is progressively getting healthier, as evidenced by his in-practice throwing.
“It’s been improving and the velocity in which he’s been able to throw, I’ve seen him getting better and better.,” Venables said. “That hand will just continue to get healthier and better as the season goes on.”
With over 2,200 yards of total offense and 14 touchdowns to his name this season, Mateer’s services will certainly be needed during Oklahoma‘s final three games. The upcoming trip to Tuscaloosa looms large and could be a playoff-eliminator, but home dates with Missouri and LSU will likely be challenging as well.
And with this game featuring a hostile environment and an Alabama defense that is coming off one of its best performances of the season, it’s safe to assume that Mateer’s hand will be put to the test.
Parker is currently the sports editor for the Enterprise-Journal in McComb, Mississippi. He's a graduate from Mizzou who has experience covering the Tiger football and basketball beats for SB Nation, and he's worked for a variety of sports news outlets in the past.
