OU offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle and head coach Brent Venables addressed the media Tuesday ahead of OU-Texas as questions mount regarding the status of redshirt junior quarterback John Mateer.
ESPN's Pete Thamel reported Tuesday morning that Mateer "is pushing to return this week" and that "he's reacted well to surgery."
Sources: Oklahoma QB John Mateer is pushing to return this week for the game against Texas. There’s a belief that his return is possible, as he’s reacted well to surgery. pic.twitter.com/KXOKoIDK9G
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) October 7, 2025
Sooner Scoop's George Stoia followed that report with one stating that Mateer "started throwing the ball late last week" and that "Mateer practiced in some capacity" on Monday.
Here's the latest from Tuesday's press conference:
Venables, Arbuckle on Mateer
Venables had little to say about Mateer's status for OU-Texas.
“I don’t know anything about this injury," Venables said. "When (the doctor and trainers) tell me he’s ready, that’s when I’ll know."
Venables expanded on his answer and stated Mateer has not shown much in practice recently to give the team confidence.
“He’s done zero good-on-good work. … I think if you’re going to play, you’ve got to do some good-on-good," Venables said.
Arbuckle also gave an update on Mateer's injury status.
"If there's any sort of gray area, he may lean toward more of the darker side of the gray whenever it comes to the recovery process," Arbuckle said. "That's just because he's a competitor, and that's how he's wired. There's steps in the recovery process that he's having to follow right now and doing a really good job with it."
Mateer has been working his way back from a right-hand injury he suffered against Auburn. Mateer currently ranks No. 2 among Heisman contenders.
Keontez Lewis injury update
Arbuckle provided an update on redshirt senior wide receiver Keontez Lewis after he was stretchered off the field against Kent State following a collision with the end zone wall.
He later went through X-rays that revealed no broken bones, but concerns still remained.
"That was a really scary situation, so it was great to see him walk into the building the next day," Arbuckle said. "He had a smile on his face. He has to do the proper protocol with training staff and everything, but ... thank goodness that he's alright. And whenever he's ready to play, he'll be ready to play. But I don't know when that is."
Venables said that the Sooners plan to put padding up behind the wall that Lewis ran into.
"They're going to put some padding up. ... That's what I was told," Venables said.
Lewis led OU in receiving in its first game of the season against Illinois State and had 210 receiving yards through four games.
Sooners prepare for Arch Manning
OU is set to face redshirt sophomore quarterback Arch Manning.
Manning comes off recording 263 passing yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions in a 29-21 loss to Florida. He also rushed for 37 yards on the ground.
"(He's) a very talented, tough kid — loved how he battled and was able to bring his team back last week on the road in Gainesville to a very difficult place to play," Venables said. "They were charged up. ... I just appreciate and respect the courage that I watched him play with."
Venables specifically praised Manning's running ability.
"When he does scramble, he can run through a lot of trash," Venables said. "He (has) great speed and quickness as well — a real weapon as a dual threat."
