Oklahoma's offensive line depth took another hit Aug. 16, when starting center Jake Maikkula suffered a sprained MCL during the Sooners' full-contact scrimmage, sidelining the redshirt senior for an estimated four to six weeks.

Maikkula, a 6-foot-6, 305-pound transfer from Stanford, was rolled up on from behind by teammates during the second half of the scrimmage, according to SoonersOnSI's John Hoover, who cited a source close to the OU athletic department. An MRI on Aug. 17 confirmed the MCL sprain rather than a more severe injury.

The timeline means Maikkula is expected to miss OU's Sept. 4 home opener against UTEP and the Sept. 12 road trip to Michigan. A return for the Sept. 26 game at Georgia or the Oct. 10 matchup against Texas appears more realistic.

The injury compounds an already-growing list of absences in Norman. Left tackle Michael Fasusi and several defensive players were already held out of fall camp activities. Maikkula's absence is particularly notable because the offensive line, which returns four of five starters, was expected to be one of OU's strengths entering the season.

Offensive line coach Bill Bedenbaugh has options. Senior Caleb Nitta, a 6-2, 302-pound transfer from Western Kentucky, is the likely first replacement. True freshman Noah Best, at 6-4 and 319 pounds, has drawn praise throughout camp. Right guard Ryan Fodje has also been discussed as a candidate to slide inside to center.

Maikkula himself endorsed Best's readiness at OU Media Day on Aug. 4, calling the freshman "incredible" and predicting he would be "a really good player for OU in years to come."

Head coach Brent Venables echoed that assessment on Aug. 14, telling reporters Best's daily competitiveness was "a little bit abnormal for a freshman" and that the young lineman's position versatility had helped OU build depth despite limited numbers.

OU general manager Jim Nagy set the stakes for Maikkula's absence at SEC Media Days in July, saying the center "didn't even show up on campus last year until June" but "looked incredible this spring" and projecting him as one of the top centers in the next NFL draft.

It's the second straight season cut short early for Maikkula, who missed OU's regular-season finale against LSU and the College Football Playoff game against Alabama in 2025 after being hospitalized with an infection.

The Sooners open the season Sept. 4 against UTEP at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman.