PHOTO/Randy Renner
OSU quarterback Spencer Sanders is out for the rest of the regular season after having surgery on his right thumb.
He hurt the thumb twice during last Saturday's win over Kansas. He was hit on the thumb while he was scrambling in the second quarter. The team's medical staff sent Sanders back into the game with a wrap on the thumb and he promptly fired a long touchdown pass to Dillon Stoner. But in the third quarter Sanders appeared to bang his thumb on the helmet of a Jayhawk while trying to throw a pass. This time he did not return to the game.
Backup Dru Brown went in and performed well, throwing a long TD pass of his own to Stoner. After the game Sanders told reporters he was "fine" and expected to play against West Virginia but an MRI on Monday indicated surgery would be needed to repair the damage and Sanders would likely be out of action four to six weeks making a return for a bowl game possible.
Brown was immediately made the starter for the West Virginia game but sources have told iHeart Media, Brown then also suffered a hand injury during Tuesday's practice. Brown is expected to be able to play against the Mountaineers but sources say the Cowboy coaches worked true freshmen quarterbacks Peyton Thompson, a preferred walk-on from Tulsa Union, and Brendan Costello, a scholarship QB from San Clemente, California, at the position this week.
We're told if Brown can't go Thompson, a 6-1, 190 pound 3-star pro-style quarterback would get the nod. Thompson led the Redskins to a state championship two seasons ago with OSU receiver C.J. Moore as his primary target.
Costello, a 6-0, 191 pound, 3-star quarterback would also likely play. He finished his high school career with 4,658 yards and 47 touchdowns through the air while running for 1,165 yards and 15 touchdowns.
All three QBs will likely make the trip to Morgantown but a final decision on Brown's status might not come until shortly before Saturday's 11am kickoff.