Injury Report: Markell Samuel Remains Out, Two Tight Ends Return

As was hinted at throughout the week, the Cowboys will be without their starting left tackle when they play Tulsa on Friday night.

An Appalachian State transfer, Markell Samuel started the Cowboys’ season-opening win against UT-Martin but suffered an injury late in the week ahead of the Oregon game. According to Dave Hunziker, Samuel will also miss this game against the Golden Hurricane.

Here’s how the Cowboys started up front against the Ducks:

LT — Nuku Mafi (R-Fr.)
LG — Bob Schick (R-Sr.)
C — Austin Kawecki (R-Jr.)
RG — Noah McKinney (R-Jr.)
RT — Grant Seagren (R-So.)

Hunziker also noted that running back Trent Howland is cleared to play, but at this point it’s uncertain how much he’ll be out there. Howland didn’t play in the Cowboys’ season opener but was a rare bright spot in Eugene when he carried six times for 31 rushing yards. He suffered an ankle injury, though, and didn’t get to play much.

Rodney Fields Jr. is good to go, according to Hunziker. Fields missed the opener with an injury but took 10 carries against the Ducks and ran for 30 yards.

OSU also has Kalib Hicks, Sesi Vailahi and Freddie Brock IV able to run the rock, so the Cowboys aren’t necessarily hurting for depth at that spot.

Tight end Quinton Stewart got rolled up on against the Ducks, but he is expected to be good to go Friday, per Hunziker.

North Texas transfer Oscar Hammond hasn’t played for the Pokes this season, but Hunziker said he is available Friday night. After spending two seasons at UCO, Hammond spent last season at North Texas, where he made six starts and caught 19 passes for 238 yards and a touchdown.

Update: As the Cowboys came out for warmups, Hammond was in street clothes.

Tulsa is dealing with some of injury issues of its own. ESPN’s Pete Thamel reported earlier Friday that the Golden Hurricane will start Baylor Hayes at quarterback. Kirk Francis started the year for Tulsa but suffered a concussion in Week 2. That gave the keys to the TU offense to Hayes, who transferred to Tulsa with Tre Lamb from East Tennessee State. Thamel’s report stated that Francis would suit up still.

Oklahoma State and Tulsa kick off at 6:30 p.m. Friday in Boone Pickens Stadium. The game will be televised on ESPN.