Oklahoma Sooners star quarterback John Mateer is set to undergo surgery for a right-hand injury, the program announced on Tuesday. Mateer, a transfer quarterback from Washington State, has been one of the nation’s best signal callers this season and has led the Sooners to a 4-0 record with two Top 25 wins already.
According to Oklahoma’s announcement, Sooners head coach Brent Venables says that “the expectation is that Mateer will return to action sometime this season.”
From a Tennessee perspective, it presents a clear timeline question mark for the Volunteers’ home game against the Sooners later in the season. Tennessee will host Oklahoma in a potential Top 25 matchup on Saturday, Nov. 1, in Neyland Stadium. That game will be 38 days removed from his surgery, which is set for Wednesday.
Sophomore quarterback Michael Hawkins Jr. will start the Sooners’ next game against Kent State on Oct. 4, according to the announcement. If Hawkins is still the starter by the time Oklahoma rolls into Knoxville in November, it’ll be a player that Tennessee does have some familiarity with. Hawkins replaced starting quarterback Jackson Arnold in the game against Tennessee during the 2024 season, finishing with 132 yards and one touchdown on 11-of-18 passing in a 25-15 loss. He also had 22 rushing yards on 11 carries.
“We have all the confidence in the world in Michael and are excited for his opportunity to lead our offense while John recovers,” Venables said in the press release. “He had some big moments for us last season as a true freshman and has just gotten better and better. I’m proud of the work Michael’s put in and the progress he’s made, and know he will attack this opportunity to help lead our football team.”
ESPN’s Pete Thamel followed up on the announcement on Tuesday, reporting that Mateer’s injury is a broken bone in his right hand. Thamel’s report also states that “the estimated timeline after surgery is expected to be about a month, as the surgery is considered straightforward.”
That estimated timeline could set up for a potential return against the Volunteers in Knoxville.
Sources: John Mateer’s injury is a broken bone in his right (throwing) hand that he suffered in the first quarter against Auburn on Saturday night. The estimated timeline after surgery is expected to be about a month, as the surgery is considered straight-forward. pic.twitter.com/cB9dmYNXmV
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) September 23, 2025
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Losing Mateer for any amount of time is a huge blow for the red-hot Sooners. He’s thrown for 1,215 yards, six touchdowns, and three interceptions in the first four games of the season, and has been widely considered a Heisman Trophy contender – and even a frontrunner – in the early stages. The passing game has been a notable aspect of the Sooners’ offense this season, with Mateer throwing for no less than 34 attempts in each of his four games.
Oklahoma, currently ranked No. 7 in the nation, will take on Kent State next weekend. The Sooners are currently on an open week. Oklahoma then has games against Texas, at South Carolina, and against Ole Miss, leading into the Tennessee game in Knoxville on Nov. 1.
Mateer’s surgery is set for Wednesday.
