The season ending injuries are pilling up for Oklahoma. Wednesday, OU coach Bob Stoops announced defensive tackle DeMarcus Granger will miss the BCS national championship due to a back injury.

Granger underwent surgery earlier in the week.

“Our doctors and training staff have worked extensively with DeMarcus and it was finally determined that surgery was necessary,” Stoops said. “We’re disappointed for DeMarcus and are certainly anxious to do everything we can to assist his recovery.”

The junior has dealt with chronic lower back problems throughout his career, but the situation deteriorated as the season progressed. He did not play in the Sooners’ victory over Missouri in the Big 12 championship game due to the injury.

A foot injury Granger suffered against Washington also forced him to miss two games earlier in the season. In all, Granger played in 10 of OU’s 13 games, making 20 tackles with 21⁄2 going for losses and recovering two fumbles. He did not start any games this season, but played in the four-man rotation at the two tackle spots with Gerald McCoy, Adrian Taylor and Cory Bennett.

Granger’s absence means junior Cordero Moore will likely see more playing time when the Sooners face Florida Jan. 8 in Miami. Moore took Granger’s spot in the rotation when he was injured earlier this season.

It will be the second straight bowl game Granger will miss. He was suspended from last season’s Fiesta Bowl and sent home from the game early.

Granger’s surgery is the second major hit the Sooners have taken this week. Tuesday, it was announced starting running back DeMarco Murray will miss the BCS national championship game due a hamstring injury.

John Shinn

366-3536

jshinn@normantranscript.com