The operating assumption regarding Oklahoma's quarterback competition has been that the job is redshirt junior Blake Bell's to lose, a notion that will only be reinforced by an injury to another challenger in the first session of fall camp.
Redshirt sophomore Kendal Thompson broke his right foot Thursday morning and will undergo surgery, the school announced.
"We're optimistic that Kendal will return early in the season," head coach Bob Stoops said. "He has a very positive outlook and is eager to rejoin his teammates on the field as soon as possible."
A three-star recruit from Oklahoma City, Thompson did not appear in a game last season after redshirting in 2011.
The injury leaves Bell and redshirt freshman Trevor Knight as viable options to replace the departed Landry Jones, though true freshman Cody Thomas could now enter the mix with reps that would have gone to Thompson.
The 6-foot-6, 263-pound Bell has appeared in 20 games over the past two seasons, primarily as a short-yardage and goal-line runner. Nicknamed the "Belldozer," Bell has run for 24 touchdowns, but has only attempted 20 career passes.
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