Oklahoma wide receiver group decimated, with crucial player downgraded to doubtful for Ole Miss game

With a pivotal conference showdown looming against the Ole Miss Rebels, Oklahoma’s wide receiver corps has been decimated by injuries.

Already without starters Marvin Mims and Theo Wease, the Sooners received more bad news on Tuesday when senior wideout Jadon Haselwood was downgraded to doubtful for Saturday’s game.

Haselwood, who has 12 catches for 187 yards and two touchdowns this season, suffered an undisclosed injury in practice on Monday.

His absence will be a major blow to an Oklahoma offense that is already struggling to find its footing. The Sooners rank 113th in the nation in passing offense, averaging just 183.8 yards per game.

With Haselwood out, Oklahoma will likely turn to a combination of freshman Jalil Farooq and redshirt sophomore LV Bunkley-Shelton to fill the void.

Farooq has shown flashes of potential this season, but he is still a raw talent. Bunkley-Shelton has been a solid contributor in the slot, but he is not a true outside receiver.

The Sooners will also need to get more production from their tight ends, Brayden Willis and Daniel Parker Jr.

Willis is averaging 13.6 yards per catch this season, while Parker has caught 10 passes for 79 yards and a touchdown.

Oklahoma’s offense will face a tough test against an Ole Miss defense that is ranked 24th in the nation in passing yards allowed.

The Rebels have allowed just 186.8 yards per game through the air this season, and they have intercepted nine passes.

If Oklahoma wants to win on Saturday, it will need to find a way to get its passing game going. But with Haselwood out, that task will be much more difficult.