Collarbone injury keeps Peterson out against OSU

By John Helsley

Published: November 21, 2006

NORMAN — Adrian Peterson won't be back for Bedlam, but he's not ditching hopes of a bowl game return.

A Monday scan of Peterson's broken collarbone revealed reason to keep him sidelined, ruling him out of Saturday's game at Oklahoma State.

"The scan just showed that it wasn't completely healed, so they're not going to release him yet," Sooners coach Bob Stoops said.

Peterson's availability for the Big 12 championship game Dec. 2, should the Sooners earn a spot, is unclear.

But a bowl game…

"He should be able to go at that point," Peterson's father, Nelson Peterson, said Monday. "That'd give him an extra four weeks right there."

At 9-2 entering the Bedlam matchup, the Sooners' postseason possibilities range from a BCS bowl to the Alamo Bowl.

A BCS scenario would put OU in a bowl game no sooner than Jan. 1. The Holiday Bowl, another possibility, presents the earliest date: Dec. 28.

At that, Peterson would have 38 days until kickoff.

The other potential Sooner destinations — Cotton, Gator and Alamo — all fall after that.

Peterson had hoped for an early return from his Oct. 14 injury, although standard healing time ranges from 4-8 weeks.

Saturday, he was optimistic.

"We'll see," he said.

Monday brought different news.

"The mind says yes, but the body says no," Nelson Peterson said.

The Sooners have continued to run well without Peterson, ranking 16th nationally in rushing offense.

Still, his teammates were disappointed by Monday's news.

"It's about the team," OU offensive tackle Chris Messner said. "You hate to see your teammate go down. That's what hurts the most, because you've worked, you've sweated, done all this stuff with this guy.

"And to see him get injured, it's hard."

Even freshman running back Chris Brown, a playing time benefactor of Peterson's unavailability, seemed saddened by the news.

"He's been here for three years," Brown said. "He set the table. This is his foundation he laid.

"It would be nice to see him come back for the final game of the season."

That possibility remains, although Bedlam offered special intrigue.

Two of Peterson's biggest rushing days have come against Oklahoma State. And he stands just 151 yards shy of passing Billy Sims to become OU's all-time rushing leader.

"I don't care what game it is, I'd just love to play another game with him," Messner said. "It's really enjoyable just to see him play and to work hard and do my part for him."