Sources: Dru Brown Expected to Start at QB for OSU vs. WVU Despite Practice Injury

Graduate transfer quarterback Dru Brown will make his first career start for Oklahoma State on Saturday despite sustaining a minor injury during practice this week that initially put his playing status in question, sources told PFB.

Brown banged his thumb on a helmet during practice, one source said. The source described the injury as “not a big deal.” With no aggravation to the thumb injury and no other injuries ahead of Saturday’s 11 a.m. kick vs. the Mountaineers, he’s expected to take all the snaps in place of injured starting quarterback Spencer Sanders, who this week underwent thumb surgery, ending his regular season.

Brown making the start Saturday — health allowing — was expected for OSU given the depth chart and how OSU has handled its snaps this season. Only Brown has taken snaps behind center after Sanders. The big question, however, centered around who would back Brown up (and who would play if Brown could not go).

Redshirt freshman quarterback Shaun Taylor will operate as Oklahoma State’s backup QB this week, multiple sources told PFB. Behind him, at No. 3 on the depth chart, is true freshman Peyton Thompson, a 6-foot-1, 187 pound player from Tulsa Union. Both will travel with the team ahead of 2019 scholarship QB Brendon Costello.

Taylor is a walk-on and Thompson joined OSU as a preferred walk-on earlier this summer, choosing the Cowboys over full-ride offers from Abilene Christian, Columbia and Eastern Michigan, per 247Sports.

Oklahoma State takes on West Virginia on Saturday morning at 11 a.m. in Morgantown.