OU's Bradford injures non-throwing hand; surgery after Big 12 title game
NORMAN, Okla. -- Oklahoma quarterback Sam Bradford tore ligaments in his non-throwing hand during the Sooners' win against Oklahoma State and is expected to have surgery following the Big 12 Championship Game.
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| Quarterback Sam Bradford refuses to allow a little injury slow him down. (Getty Images) |
Bradford leads the nation with 46 touchdown passes this season, and he added to his long line of school records by passing 2003 Heisman Trophy winner Jason White's career touchdown mark and 2000 Heisman runner-up Josh Heupel's season passing mark on Saturday.
Stoops expects Bradford to play with a soft cast on his left hand in the championship game against No. 19 Missouri on Saturday.
Bradford had to play out of the shotgun in the second half against Oklahoma State, and Stoops said the hand injury contributed to two fumbled snaps. It didn't stop Bradford from taking an end-over-end flip on an 8-yard scramble in the third quarter, which set up his 1-yard touchdown run on the next play. Bradford fumbled the snap on that fourth-down play, but was able to recover and get into the end zone.
"I thought Sam Bradford again was just amazing and unbelievable in how he played," Stoops said Sunday.
Oklahoma will be without middle linebacker Austin Box, who sprained a ligament in his left knee, for the next three to four weeks. Stoops said Mike Balogun, who replaced Box on Saturday night, will be the replacement.
Balogun will be the Sooners' third starting middle linebacker this season. Starter Ryan Reynolds had a season-ending knee injury against Texas, and safety Nic Harris filled in for a week before Box was ready to play.
Stoops said defensive end Auston English, who has missed the past three games with a sprained knee, may be able to return in time to play against Missouri.
