OU football: Lincoln Riley says 'no change' in status for suspended players

NORMAN — Sooners coach Lincoln Riley said Tuesday there was "no change" in the status for three players suspended late last season.

Running back Rhamondre Stevenson, defensive end Ronnie Perkins and wide receiver Trejan Bridges will miss Saturday's game against Missouri State (6 p.m., pay-per-view) and the first few games of the season barring an unexpected change. The suspension would keep them out of key Big 12 games against Iowa State and Texas as well as the conference opener against Kansas State.

The trio were reportedly suspended before the Peach Bowl after testing positive for marijuana in an NCAA test.

The loss of each of the three could be critical for the Sooners, especially given the decision to opt out for the season by running back Kennedy Brooks and defensive tackle Jalen Redmond.

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Without Brooks and Stevenson, the Sooners are inexperienced at running back with T.J. Pledger being the most experienced with 40 carries over the past two seasons. Redshirt freshman Marcus Major and freshman Seth McGowan will also be in the rotation.

With Perkins and Redmond out, OU is without its top two pass rushers from last year. 

Though the Sooners are in better position to handle Bridges' absence at wide receiver, they are also plenty inexperienced at that spot, with Charleston Rambo looking like the most likely candidate to be the top receiver in OU's offense.