Jake Maikkula injury update: Brent Venables says OU football OL sidelined for 'short term'
· Yahoo Sports
NORMAN — OU football starting center Jake Maikkula isn't expected to miss much time with an undisclosed injury.
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"He's doing well," Sooners coach Brent Venables said Friday of Maikkula, who sustained the injury during last weekend's scrimmage. "We've got three guys working there with (Ryan) Fodje, Caleb Nitta and Noah Best. They've all three looked really good at times and have done some really good things."
Maikkula's spot is an important one to fill. He played in 11 games and made 10 starts last season, playing 710 snaps and allowing only two sacks on 408 pass-blocking snaps, according to Pro Football Focus.
OU's coaching staff feels good about what it has with Western Kentucky transfer Caleb Nitta, who started nine games for the Hilltoppers last season, as well as Best, who has turned heads as a true freshman.
Fodje, a second-year offensive lineman, has mostly played tackle for the Sooners but was slotted in as a potential starter at right guard this season. He said recently he's willing to play anywhere for OU.
“I just feel like whatever I’ve got to do, I’ve got to do it,” Fodje said. “I know it’s hard, I know football’s hard. Life is hard. Everything is hard in life. But I’ve just got to do what I’ve got to do to make the team successful."
While he hasn't even suited up in a game yet for the Sooners, it's clear Best is prepared to play meaningful snaps at center or guard with Michael Fasusi working his way back from a minor shoulder injury.
All three have quarterback John Mateer's trust.
"I have a good relationship with all three of them," Mateer said. "Noah and Caleb just got here in January but we've spent time together off the field and translating it to the field has been no problem. Coach (Bill) Bedenbaugh has been getting on them... It's good for me as a quarterback, I want to be clued in so we're all on the same page and I can help out (with some of the protections). I've been challenged in that way so it's been good."
Colton Sulley covers the Oklahoma Sooners for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Colton? He can be reached at [email protected] or on X/Twitter at @colton_sulley. Support Colton's work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Jake Maikkula injury update: Brent Venables says OU football OL sidelined for 'short term'