Zack Sanchez Injury: Updates on Oklahoma CB's Leg and Return

University of Oklahoma cornerback Zack Sanchez suffered a leg injury Saturday afternoon against Texas Tech.

Continue for updates.

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Sanchez Leaves in 1st Quarter

Saturday, Oct. 24

According to John E. Hoover of the Tulsa World, Sanchez had to be carted off the field after suffering a lower right leg injury during the first play from scrimmage of Saturday's game. 

He returned to the bench later in the first quarter, according to the OU Daily's Brady Vardeman:

The extent of the injury and a timetable for a possible return have yet to be disclosed. 

Sanchez came into Week 8 in a tie for the team lead with three interceptions along with 28 total tackles. His defensive play has helped the Sooners rise to the No. 17 ranking in the nation.

Two of his interceptions came against Kansas State in Week 7, one of which he returned for a touchdown. The junior has shown throughout his time at Oklahoma that he is a solid pass defender with good play recognition. Add that to a very athletic skill set, and the Sooners have one of their best secondary members on the team. 

The Big 12 showed what he's capable of:

According to Oklahoma assistant athletic director Mike Houck, Sanchez's regular backup, Marcus Green, was not in Saturday's lineup. Instead, Oklahoma inserted junior Dakota Austin, who had not recorded a single defensive statistic this season. 

It's hardly the kind of replacement Oklahoma would want inserted in its secondary, but he will have to do for now until the team finds a solution for Sanchez's absence. Texas Tech and future Oklahoma opponents, though, now have a cornerback to target moving forward while Sanchez recovers. 

Stats courtesy of ESPN.com