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Stoops expects injured Oklahoma WR Sterling Shepard to play against Baylor

Associated Press
Published | Updated

Oklahoma wide receiver Sterling Shepard (3) catches a pass between Iowa State defensive back Kenneth Lynn and defensive back T.J. Mutcherson (22) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 1, 2014, in Ames, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall) (The Associated Press)

Oklahoma wide receiver Sterling Shepard (3) catches a pass over Iowa State defensive back Kenneth Lynn (8) and defensive back T.J. Mutcherson (22) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 1, 2014, in Ames, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall) (The Associated Press)

Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops expects injured receiver Sterling Shepard to be ready for No. 16 Oklahoma's showdown with No. 10 Baylor on Saturday.

Shepard left last weekend's game against Iowa State with a groin strain after catching a 46-yard pass on the Sooners' first offensive play. Stoops said Monday that it seemed minor when it was checked out Sunday, but the team would monitor the situation throughout the week.

Not having Shepard against Baylor would be a huge blow. He's third nationally with an average of 119.6 yards receiving and has accounted for nearly half of the team's yards in the passing game.

He tied Oklahoma's single-game record with 15 catches, for 197 yards, against Kansas State. He also is the team's punt returner.