Deion Burks injury update: Oklahoma HC Brent Venables offers insight on star WR

Oklahoma (4-1) has had a good start to the season, only losing to No. 4 Tennessee. The team is dealing with several injuries, including one to Deion Burks who has been out with a soft tissue injury and missed last week's game against Auburn.

Oklahoma coach Brent Venables spoke on Wednesday on the SEC teleconference. He discussed the status of Burks and running back Taylor Tatum.

"They're doing good, so expect to have an opportunity to have both of those guys potentially back," he said. "Again, I know Taylor is just a freshman, but I think we played 28 freshmen and sophomores in that game last weekend. Young guys are stepping up. We're really excited about that group of guys along with those guys we have to get healthy."

Deion Burks' impact on the offense

While Burks does not have the superstar numbers that other top wide receivers in college football have, he is an integral piece of Oklahoma's offense. In four games, he has 26 receptions for 201 yards and three touchdowns. Additionally, he has five carries for 32 rushing yards, including an 11-yard run. He is the leading receiver for Oklahoma this season even without playing week 5 against Auburn.

Burks' best performance came in the season opener against Temple. Burks finished with six receptions for 36 yards and three touchdowns in the 51-3 win. He has only scored in one game this season. His biggest yardage game occurred in Week 3 against Tulane. He recorded seven receptions for 80 yards, including his longest catch of the year, a 20-yarder.

Oklahoma plays against Texas next

Oklahoma has an open week for its players to get healthy before their next game on October 12th. The No. 19 Oklahoma Sooners will host the No. 2 Texas Longhorns in what should be the biggest test of the season for Brent Venables and his squad.

The Sooners have a difficult schedule this year, having already faced a top-five team in Tennessee, and with a game against Alabama on the schedule near the end of the season, it is not getting any easier.

Oklahoma will need Deion Burks and as many players as possible healthy to have success against these highly ranked opponents.