Jalil Farooq officially ruled out for Saturday’s game against Alabama

On By Littum

NORMAN — The hits just keep on coming for Oklahoma’s wide receiver corps.

Although the latest is certainly unexpected.

Senior wide receiver Jalil Farooq is officially ruled out for Saturday’s game against Alabama, according to Friday’s availability report.

Farooq’s absence is certainly unexpected considering how the week started. The senior wideout was not listed on Wednesday’s availability report, indicating he would be available this weekend. It followed how Venables spoke about Farooq during Tuesday’s press conference when he indicated the plan was to increase Farooq’s playing time over the final two games.

We hope it will continue to improve as we move forward.

His name appeared on Thursday’s report as questionable, and then suddenly doubts about his availability. Now, it has been confirmed that Farooq will not play in the Sooners’ Senior Night game.

It is unclear whether it is a continuation or a setback from the broken foot Farooq suffered in August, which forced him to miss eight straight games. Farooq returned from injury against Missouri, logging 27 snaps while catching two passes for 11 yards.

Without Farooq, and Deion Burks already shut out on Thursday, the Sooners will again be shorthanded against the No. 7 Alabama on Saturday (6:30 p.m., ABC). Without Farooq and Burks, the Sooners will likely rely on Brenn Thompson, JJ Hester and Jacob Jordan as primary recipients.

Friday’s availability report also saw the Olympics Joshua Bates officially excluded. Junior runs back Jovantae Barnes is still listed as questionable and appears to be trending as a game-time decision Saturday night.

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