Oklahoma football: Sooners safety Tony Jefferson leaves game with ankle injury

Late in the first quarter, the Sooners' safety hobbled off the field, got his ankle taped and returned a play later. He walked off the field hurt again after that play.

That's when the trainers cut off the tape and began icing the ankle.

Sooners coach Bob Stoops and the trainers don't think the sprain is significant. They decided to put Jefferson in a boot and sit out the rest of the game.

It wasn't worth the risk, even if his family made the trip from the San Diego area to watch the junior in the Sooners home opener.

“If it was a tighter, tougher game he could have probably played,” Stoops said, “but we didn't feel we needed to do that.”

Defensive coordinator Mike Stoops said Jefferson should be ready for their next game in two weeks.

“Tony has been playing well and he's disappointed,” Mike Stoops said. “We anticipate him to be back (for Kansas State).”

When Jefferson left the game, the score was already 14-0 in OU's favor. That's when Mike Stoops looked to his second string, senior defensive back Jesse Paulsen.