Austin Box Sidelined with Back Injury

NORMAN, Oklahoma - The OU Sooners will be without linebacker Austin Box Saturday in their game against Tulsa.

Box is sidelined with a back injury, the severity of which is currently unknown. The Sooners' depth at linebacker will be even worse without Box, but they have been shorthanded at the position all season.

Freshman Tom Wort will miss the rest of the year with a knee injury and Mike Balogun has been decertified by the NCAA. Balogun is appealing the ruling and is still practicing with the team, but he cannot play until a final ruling is made.

Box started at middle linebacker last season after starter Ryan Reynolds sustained a season-ending knee injury against Texas.

The injury to Box could give more playing time to true freshman Ronnell Lewis, who head coach Bob Stoops has consistently praised as one of the Sooners' most impressive freshmen.