Oklahoma's John Mateer to Have Surgery on Hand Injury, Expected to Return in 2025

Oklahoma quarterback John Mateer will undergo surgery Wednesday on an injury to his throwing hand he suffered during Saturday's win over Auburn, head coach Brent Venables announced Tuesday.

Mateer is expected to return "sometime this season," according to Oklahoma.

ESPN's Pete Thamel identified Mateer's injury as a broken bone in his right hand.

Thamel reported that Mateer will undergo surgery in Los Angeles by Dr. Steven Shin, a hand and wrist surgeon who has worked with athletes including Drew Brees and Stephen Curry.

According to Thamel, the surgery is a "straightforward" procedure with an estimated recovery timeline of a month.

On3's Pete Nakos reported that there is "some hope" Mateer will be able to return for Oklahoma's Oct. 11 game against No. 10 Texas, but that his recovery will be "critical."

With Mateer on the shelf, Indiana's Fernando Mendoza is now the favorite to win the Heisman Trophy at +750, per DraftKings Sportsbook.

Michael Hawkins Jr. will start in Mateer's place against Kent State on Oct. 4 as Oklahoma looks to improve to 5-0, Venables said Tuesday.

Mateer suffered the injury during the first quarter of last Saturday's game, according to the university.

The quarterback remained in the game, and nine-yard touchdown run late in the fourth quarter was ultimately the difference in the Sooners' 24-17 victory.

Mateer ranks second in FBS with 351.2 yards of offense per game so far this season.

Oklahoma is meanwhile heading in to the matchup with Kent State as one of five SEC teams which have yet to suffer a loss this season.

For now the Sooners will turn to Hawkins, who made his debut as a replacement for Jackson Arnold in Week 5 of the 2024 season.

Hawkins went on to appear in seven games for Oklahoma as a true freshman, although he was benched after a blowout loss to Texas. He came back in for a bowl game after Arnold transferred to Auburn.

Mateer then transferred from Washington State to Oklahoma ahead of the 2025 season, placing Hawkins back on the bench.

Venables told reporters earlier this month that the Sooners would ideally like to give Hawkins a redshirt season in 2025, per The Norman Transcript's Davis Cordova.

"I hate to burn his year unnecessarily... we're going to be very mindful not burning his year before we have to," Venables said after Oklahoma's Week 2 win over No. 15 Michigan.

Mateer's injury will force Venables to play that card just two weeks later.

The Sooners will now hope Hawkins will be able to build on his experience as a true freshman starter to keep the team afloat until Mateer is able to return.