Oklahoma starting an injured John Mateer could risk backfire

NATE BILLINGS/FOR THE OKLAHOMAN / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn ImagesA week ago, Oklahoma quarterback John Mateer stood on the Sooners' sideline fully dressed in full gear before the game against Kent State, but with a noticeable brace on his right hand that kept him out of the game.

On Saturday, 17 days after having surgery to repair a hand injury, Mateer will be fully dressed again and is listed as probable to play in the annual Red River Rivalry game against the Texas Longhorns.

The burning question for the past couple of weeks around Norman and throughout the college football world has been how soon Mateer would be ready to return to action. Initial reports after the surgery were that it…