BRYAN TERRY/THE OKLAHOMAN / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
It appeared Oklahoma quarterback John Mateer was going to be out until the end of October after undergoing surgery to address an injured thumb. However, there’s speculation he’s gearing up to return to play when the Sooners face off against Texas—a rumor that’s been fueled by a Chipotle employee who says he got some intel while serving the sidelined star.
Oklahoma was relying on Washington State transfer John Mateer to step up when he arrived in Norman after spending the first three years of his college career with the Cougars. He did exactly that while helping the Sooners get off to a 4-0 start, but things took an unfortunate turn when the team announced he’d been forced to undergo surgery after injuring his thumb during the team’s win over Auburn.
Dr. Steven Shin, the world-renowned doctor who performed the procedure at the end of September, transformed into a bit of a folk hero among the Sooner faithful. Unfortunately, there was only so much he could do to accelerate a recovery that was seemingly poised to keep Mateer out of action for close to a month.
It initially looked like the earliest Mateer would be able to return was Oklahoma’s showdown with Ole Miss on October 25th. However, there are rumblings he may have defied the odds and could suit up for the Red River Shootout with Texas on Saturday, which can be traced back to a fairly unlikely source.
A Chipotle employee is largely responsible for sparking speculation concerning John Mateer’s premature return to the football field
Oklahoma predictably didn’t have any trouble with Kent State in a game where Mateer’s backup, Michael Hawkins, was under center during the 44-0 victory. However, they’ll be facing a much stiffer test in their rivalry game with a Texas team that has not lived up to expectations this season but will put up much more of a fight than one of the worst programs in college football.
There was no reason to believe Mateer was going to be able to play against the Longhorns when he underwent surgery, but the plot has thickened in the days leading up to that contest. He’s been listed as “Questionable” on the injury report, and head coach Brent Venables seems to be engaging in some psychological warfare while coyly addressing the possibility.
The most information we’ve gotten so far comes courtesy of Cooper Whitaker, a junior studying philosophy at Oklahoma who works at a Chipotle that Mateer visited last week. He told Tulsa World he couldn’t help but ask about the QB’s thumb after realizing who he was serving, saying Mateer told him he’s “definitely” playing when the #6 Sooners face off against Texas.
He echoed that sentiment in an interview with OU Nightly, noting Mateer’s hand was still sporting stitches but wasn’t in a cast when he chatted with him.
The Chipotle tortilla presser who spoke with John Mateer caught up with me today about the interaction. Here is what he had to say plus if Mateer will be available for the Red River Rivalry pic.twitter.com/JOuESuyYK7
— Michael thompson (@MichaelThomNews) October 9, 2025
What a world.