ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- Oklahoma standout linebacker Kip Lewis will "miss some time" after sustaining a right knee injury in the first quarter of Saturday's 17-10 loss to Michigan, coach Brent Venables said.
Lewis, who led Oklahoma in tackles last season and made his 32nd career start Saturday, hopped off the field on his left leg while angrily throwing his helmet following a play. Oklahoma's athletic trainers attended to him on the bench, and he warmed up on the sideline before briefly returning to the field.
Lewis appeared in street clothes on the Sooners' sideline late in the first half.
"You lose a guy like Kip, he's a good player, but I thought the other guys came in and we reestablished a rhythm, especially in the second half," Venables said.
The fifth-year senior from Carthage, Texas, had 76 tackles, four sacks, 10.5 tackles for loss and five quarterback hurries last season. He became a starter late in the 2023 season and entered this fall with 209 career tackles, including 18.5 for loss, with two interceptions, seven quarterback hurries and five pass breakups.
Lewis had three tackles in Oklahoma's season-opening win against UTEP. He did not record any statistics against Michigan before leaving the game.
"Kip's an emotional and on-the-field leader, but the expectation is no drop-off," linebacker Owen Heinecke said. "So, unfortunately, it's next man up and you've got to be able to perform. I think [James] Nesta did a good job stepping up in that situation."
ESPN's Heather Dinich contributed to this report.
