The Oklahoma Sooners apparently can't have nice things. After losing projected starting center Jake Maikkula to injury during training camp, next-man-up Ryan Fodje won't be available for the Sooners against the UTEP Miners in Week 1 either.
Fodje was announced as the starter at center
when the Oklahoma Sooners officially released their initial depth chart on Monday. But according to a report from George Stoia of SoonerScoop (subscription required) and confirmed by John Hoover of Sooners on SI, Fodje suffered a lower-body injury during practice on Monday and is questionable for Friday's season opener.That means Western Kentucky transfer center Caleb Nitta or true freshman offensive lineman Noah Best will get the start at center this week against
the Miners. Best has played well at guard during training camp and was listed as a co-starter with veteran Heath Ozaeta. However, after taking snaps at center during spring ball, could slide over to center, allowing Ozaeta to start at right guard.
"It's an opportunity for everybody," Nitta said via SoonerScoop's YouTube Channel. "Coach Bedenbaugh is going to put the best five out there and the best five that give the team the best chance to win. So, you know, it's almost the mindset of get better every single day and do what you can to help the team."
While neither will play this week against UTEP, Maikkula and Fodje's injury status will be important to watch when they begin Week 2 preparations for Michigan.
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This article originally appeared on Sooners Wire: Oklahoma Sooners to be without new starting center vs. UTEP per report
