Deion Burks and Kade McIntyre will officially miss Oklahoma’s matchup with Texas.

The duo was downgraded from questionable to out in Thursday’s SEC availability report, a blow to OU’s offense.

Just like Auburn, the 18th-ranked Sooners (4-1, 1-1 SEC) will be without a number of key players against the No. 1-ranked Longhorns (5-0, 1-1 SEC). 1-0).

Burks, who will miss his second game of the year, leads OU with 26 catches for 201 yards and three scores.

McIntyre has yet to catch a pass this year as offensive coordinator Seth Littrell has used him primarily as a blocking tight end.

However, Texas received good news on Thursday.

Quarterback Quinn Ewers has been removed from the report, meaning he is fully available to start the contest.

Longhorns coach Steve Sarkisian confirmed Thursday that the veteran quarterback would take his spot at the helm of Texas’ explosive attack in place of Arch Manning, who stepped in during Ewers’ absence.

Oklahoma is preparing for the return of linebacker Dasan McCullough and running back Taylor Tatum, both of whom were not included in Wednesday’s initial availability report.

McCullough has not yet appeared in 2024.

Tatum left OU’s game against Tennessee in the first half and missed the Sooners’ 27-21 victory over Auburn. The true freshman is Oklahoma’s third-leading rusher, carrying the ball 18 times for 116 yards and two touchdowns while also contributing one reception for nine yards and a score.

Sooners quarterback Michael Hawkins Jr. completed passes to four teammates against Auburn.

He found tight end Bauer Sharp four times for 43 yards, also completed three passes to JJ Hester for 86 yards, two passes to former Texas receiver Brenen Thompson for 30 yards and a two-yard completion to Jaquaize Pettaway.

Of OU’s available pass catchers this year, Sharp leads the team with 18 catches for 159 yards and a score. Thompson has 10 catches for 106 yards and a touchdown this year, and Hester’s total production this season came exclusively against Auburn.

Bill Bedenbaugh’s offensive line will be as healthy as it has been all year against Texas.

Right tackle Jake Taylor returned to the lineup against Auburn and offensive tackle Troy Everett is available again despite not playing this year.

Taylor, right guard Febechi Nwaiwu, center Branson Hickman, left guard Jacob Sexton and left tackle Michael Tarquin were able to finish the entire contest against the Tigers, and this starting lineup had the opportunity to survive Oklahoma’s bye week.

Kicker Tyler Keltner will also be available against the Longhorns, OU coach Brent Venables confirmed last week. In Keltner’s absence, Zach Schmit was a perfect 2-for-2 on field goals and played a crucial role in the Sooners’ six-point win.

The 120th edition of the Red River Rivalry kicks off Saturday at 2:30 p.m. in the Cotton Bowl at the State Fair of Texas in Dallas and the top 20 duel will be broadcast on ABC.