Oklahoma quarterback John Mateer is set to play against Texas on Saturday, just 17 days after undergoing surgery on a broken bone in his throwing hand.
Mateer's push to return continued as he was taken off the SEC availability report ahead of Saturday's game, indicating he would play. Sources told ESPN that Mateer had practiced and progressed enough to be in position to attempt to play.
A return to the field against Texas was in line with the most aggressive timelines for a potential comeback.
Oklahoma coach Brent Venables had said Monday that he assumed Mateer wouldn't be available before the quarterback progressed from questionable to probable on the SEC availability report throughout the week.
Mateer emerged as a Heisman favorite in the first month of the season. He injured the hand in the first quarter of a 24-17 win over Auburn on Sept. 20. He played the rest of the game and threw for 271 yards.
He has missed just one game since surgery Sept. 24, as Oklahoma had a bye and blew out Kent State 44-0. Michael Hawkins Jr. started against Kent State and threw three touchdown passes.
