The Oklahoma Sooners have dealt with injuries throughout the season, but they're getting healthier heading into the final three games. In the initial SEC availability report for Oklahoma vs. Ole Miss, the Sooners appear to be getting key players back.
As the Sooners prepare for the Ole Miss Rebels this Saturday in Norman, Oklahoma, they will have Peyton Bowen available. Bowen was a game-time decision last weekend. Offensive lineman Eddy Pierre-Louis was also a game-time decision against Florida but didn't play. He's probable on the initial availability report and looks like he'll be available for this week. Pierre-Louis hasn't played since the Georgia game. It'll be interesting to see where Pierre-Louis factors into the offensive line rotation
with Noah Best and Heath Ozaeta becoming mainstays at guard.
Also trending toward making a return this week is defensive back Jacobe Johnson. Johnson has also been out since the Sooners' loss to Georgia but is probable for this week's game against Ole Miss.
Key names to watch this week are offensive lineman Caleb Nitta, running back Tory Blaylock, and linebackers Cole Sullivan and James Nesta.
Blaylock played in the win over Florida and ran for 30 yards on seven carries. He's a key component of Oklahoma's running back rotation, displaying good burst and vision to pick up tough yards for the Sooners offense. Over the last three games, he's run for 133 yards on 25 carries, averaging 5.3 yards per carry.
Cole Sullivan has been in and out of the lineup all season, missing the New Mexico and Georgia games in the first month and missing South Carolina and Florida in recent weeks. His presence at linebacker provides the Sooners with experienced depth behind linebackers Owen Heinecke and Kip Lewis. Sullivan can also bump over and play cheetah to spell Reggie Powers III.
Nesta, who's taken on a bigger role this season, missed the Florida game with an injury. He was also absent from the Mississippi State game. He hasn't played more than eight snaps in a game since Week 4, when he played 37 snaps against the Georgia Bulldogs.
Though he's been trending toward a return at some point this season, offensive lineman Ryan Fodje is unlikely to play, coming in as doubtful on the initial availability report. Fodje has been one of the unsung heroes of the offensive line, showing a willingness to play guard, tackle, and center since the Sooners opened fall camp in August. He started at left tackle for Oklahoma from Week 2 until injuring his ankle in the loss to Kentucky.
Ole Miss has already ruled out key starters in running back Kewan Lacy and guard Patrick Kutas. Another name to watch is defensive end Kam Franklin. Franklin is fourth on the Rebels in total pressures, according to Pro Football Focus, and leads their defensive end room in snaps. Starting safety Sharif Deenson is also questionable for this week.
Oklahoma Sooners availability report
Ole Miss Rebels availability report
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This article originally appeared on Sooners Wire: Oklahoma vs. Ole Miss: Key players set to return for Sooners
