Injury Report: Justin Wright, Newcomer Da’Wain Lofton Out for Season Opener

STILLWATER — The Cowboys will be without a few players for their season opener, but the list isn’t too overwhelming.

Oklahoma State will be without Justin Wright, Da’Wain Lofton and Jalen Pope, according to Dave Hunziker, when the Pokes take on South Dakota State at 1 p.m. Saturday in Boone Pickens Stadium. Wright was the only player from the group that appeared on OSU’s first two-deep of the season — listed as Nick Martin’s backup at middle linebacker.

It’s a crummy ordeal for Wright, who transferred in from Tulsa ahead of last season but played in just two games because of injury. Before that, he had 101 total tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, two interceptions and two forced fumbles in his final season with the Golden Hurricane (2022). In his two games last season (Central Arkansas and Iowa State), he recorded two tackles.

A 5-foot-11 speedy receiver, Lofton is a newcomer to the squad this season after transferring from Virginia Tech. In three seasons with the Hokies, Lofton had 35 catches for 410 yards and three touchdowns.

Pope redshirted as a true freshman last season. A 6-foot-1 receiver, he played against Cincinnati but didn’t record any stats. Out of Aledo, Pope was a three-star prospect in the 2023 class, choosing OSU over offers from Air Force, Tulsa and others.