Sooners lose DE Birdine for the season

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Courtesy: SoonerSports.com
NORMAN, Okla. -- Oklahoma defensive end Larry Birdine has been lost for the season after suffering a torn left biceps muscle. OU head coach Bob Stoops made the announcement after Tuesday's practice.

Birdine will undergo surgery on Thursday.

The Lawton senior played as a reserve last season behind Dan Cody and Jonathan Jackson, but still ranked second on the team with 11 tackles for loss. He ranked third on the team with seven sacks.

"It was kind of a fluke injury," Stoops said. "He just got tangled up with Travis Wilson in a pass skel. There really wasn't much contact."

Birdine suffered the injury several days ago, but had tried to rehab. On Tuesday, Stoops said the extent of the injury had been determined.

OU defensive tackle Dusty Dvoracek suffered a similar injury in the latter stages of the 2005 spring game. He has not participated in contact drills yet, but is expected back at or near the beginning of the season.