Brent Venables met with reporters in Norman on Tuesday ahead of Oklahoma’s tricky Week 3 matchup against Tulane.

The Sooners are a bit banged up to start the year, particularly on the offensive side of the ball. Their lack of depth showed up last weekend in a couple of key spots as the Sooners limped to a 16-12 win over Houston.

Venables was asked about the drop-off in offensive production against the Cougars. He indicated that injuries to multiple starters were the main reason why the offense struggled so much (4.1 yards per play) in Week 2.

“There’s a reason that 1s are a 1, a 2s are a 2 and a 3s are a 3,” Venables said. “And then again there’s a thing called chemistry and cohesion and timing and working together.

“Your best ability is your availability and when you don’t have guys available, so you gotta get the next guys ready.”

However, that’s not always an seamless process, Venables said. He noted wide receiver Jayden Gibson as an example. Gibson was a starter on Oklahoma’s offense through the summer and most of fall camp, taking up “most” of the reps at his position. But Gibson is one of a couple Sooners who have suffered season-ending injuries already this year.

OU’s receiver and offensive line positions have been devastated by injuries in the early going. In addition to Gibson, Oklahoma hasn’t had Andrel Anthony or Nic Anders at receiver to start the year. Jalil Farooq is also out with a broken foot that he suffered against Temple.

On the offensive line, the list just as long. Troy Everett, Branson Hickman, Geirean Hatchett and Jake Taylor have all been limited by injuries in 2024. In Hatchett’s case, he’s out for the season. Everett has yet to play in a game this fall.

“Injuries, those are real things,” Venables said. “And when you have it all happen at once, it just is what it is. It’ll get better the more we play.”

Hickman started at center in OU’s Week 1 matchup but suffered an ankle sprain. With Everett and Hatchett also out, Oklahoma will be down to its 4th-string center on Saturday vs. Tulane if Hickman can’t play.

“We’re hopeful, we really are,” Venables said on whether he thinks Hickman can return to the lineup this week. “We could use a guy that’s started 35 games in his career … He’s closer. That’s not a popular answer. It’s definitely not popular in our offices, I can promise you.”

Oklahoma hosts Tulane at 3:30 p.m. ET on Saturday afternoon. Oklahoma is currently a 13.5-point favorite over Tulane, per bet365.

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