Oklahoma provides John Mateer injury update ahead of Red River Rivalry 

The Oklahoma Sooners have to be feeling confident heading into their Red River Rivalry matchup with the Texas Longhorns.

The Sooners are 5-0 and ranked No. 6 in the nation. Texas, in the meantime, has been a big disappointment. The Longhorns are 3-2 and coming off a loss to a hapless Florida team. 

This is a game that Brent Venables' team should win, even if Heisman Trophy-contending quarterback John Mateer can't make it back from a hand injury he suffered a few weeks ago.

For what it's worth, though, reports coming out of Norman suggest that Mateer is doing everything he can to play against Texas.

"Oklahoma quarterback John Mateer is in line to attempt to play against Texas on Saturday," Pete Thamel of ESPN reported Thursday. "His injured right hand will be monitored, and there’s no certainty he’ll be able to go. He’s listed as questionable. Mateer’s pain level and grip on the ball are the two biggest variables, as he‘ll be 17 days out from surgery. He’s practiced some this week for OU, as he’s been pushing toward a return that would dovetail with the most aggressive timeline post surgery."

Oklahoma quarterback John Mateer is probable for game vs. Texas

While Thamel listed Mateer is "questionable," an updated SEC injury report on Thursday evening listed the quarterback as "probable," so it sounds like the variables Thamel mentioned — pain level and the ability to grip the football — are working out in Mateer's favor.