Latest on Jam Miller, Jake Maikkula

Offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb sounded optimistic about Miller’s status Tuesday. “Jam’s always got a fire,” Grubb said. “He looks great. He was out there running around today. Did an awesome job. Feel like he’ll be a full go, ready to contribute.”

Miller has rushed for 493 yards and three touchdowns on 123 carries this season. He also has 18 receptions for 108 yards. In the first meeting between these teams, Miller managed just 27 yards on nine carries against Oklahoma’s defense.

Josh Cuevas on Pitch Count

Tight end Josh Cuevas will play Friday but on a limited snap count. ESPN’s Holly Rowe reported Cuevas will be limited to 20-25 snaps as he works through a foot injury that kept him out of the SEC Championship Game.

Cuevas was a monster in the first Alabama-Oklahoma meeting. The tight end hauled in six receptions for 80 yards and a touchdown, tearing through the Sooners defense. His presence, even in a limited role, gives Alabama another weapon in the passing game.

LT Overton Out for Alabama

The biggest loss for the Crimson Tide is defensive lineman LT Overton. The starter is Alabama’s second-leading sack artist this season and also missed the SEC Championship Game. His absence weakens an already depleted pass rush.

Oklahoma Injury Report: Maikkula Downgraded

The Sooners got some good and bad injury news this week. While they got several players back healthy, starting center Jake Maikkula was downgraded to doubtful Thursday after spending several days hospitalized with an infection.

Oklahoma Availability Report

Jake Maikkula Injury News

Maikkula missed Oklahoma’s regular-season finale against LSU on November 29 after being hospitalized with an infection. The 6-foot-5, 299-pound redshirt junior transfer from Stanford was listed as questionable through Wednesday before being downgraded Thursday.

Head coach Brent Venables talked about Maikkula’s importance to the offense. “Jake touches the ball every snap. There’s a lot of impact and influence and things that guy does,” Venables said Saturday.

Maikkula started 10 of 11 games at center this season. He’s been Oklahoma’s highest-graded offensive lineman according to Pro Football Focus, allowing just two sacks on 384 pass-blocking snaps.

With Maikkula likely out, starting right guard Febechi Nwaiwu will slide over to center. Nwaiwu made his first career start at center against LSU in Maikkula’s absence. Oklahoma’s projected offensive line: Michael Fasusi (LT), Eddy Pierre-Louis (LG), Nwaiwu (C), Ryan Fodje (RG), and Derek Simmons (RT).

R Mason Thomas Returns

The Sooners got a big boost on defense. Star defensive end R Mason Thomas was removed from Oklahoma’s availability report after missing the final three games of the regular season with a quad injury.

Thomas leads the Sooners with 6.5 sacks despite missing three games. He didn’t play in the first meeting against Alabama, and his return helps Oklahoma’s pass rush. Venables called him “one of the more explosive defensive players in the country.”

Jovantae Barnes Available

Running back Jovantae Barnes was upgraded from probable to available this week. Barnes hasn’t appeared in a game since the SEC opener against Auburn but gives Oklahoma additional backfield depth after Xavier Robinson (knee) and Tory Blaylock (shoulder) played through injuries late in the season.

Venables said Monday that Barnes could “potentially” have a role against Alabama.

How Injuries Impact Alabama vs Oklahoma

The injury situations changed the outlook for this CFP rematch. Alabama gets its starting running back back after rushing for negative-3 yards without him against Georgia. Miller’s return should stabilize an offense that struggled badly on the ground in the SEC Championship Game.

Oklahoma loses its starting center but gains back its best pass rusher. Thomas missing the first meeting was significant, as he leads the Sooners in sacks and creates havoc up front. His return could make life difficult for Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson.

The absence of LT Overton for Alabama balances the pass-rushing equation somewhat. Both teams will be without key defensive linemen, which could open things up for the quarterbacks.

Josh Cuevas playing on a snap count is notable given his six-catch, 80-yard performance in the first meeting. Even limited, he gives Alabama another weapon against Oklahoma’s defense.