A day after announcing defensive end D.J. Ward is out with a spleen injury, coach Bob Stoops said sophomore defensive end Michael Onuoha is out for at least three games with a shoulder injury.
Onuoha, from Edmond, Okla., was expected to contribute on a defensive line that lost five players from a year ago.
The Oklahoman reported Onuoha had shoulder surgery and will begin practicing again in mid-September.
"We're excited about Michael," Stoops said. "Michael had his operation in the spring and we're optimistic we'll get him back in the third game or so and there's a long year to play. If something happens to some other guys he's back in the mix maybe in the middle or early in the year where he's ready to help again."
That leaves Chuka Ndulue, who could miss the first game, due to a suspension from an offseason DUI, as the leader of the defensive line. Ndulue moved from defensive end to defensive tackle this season.
