
Out with the old, in with the new: Ravens unveil new uniforms
Baltimore Ravens unveil new uniforms, including a striking black helmet!

Oklahoma linebacker Owen Heinecke has been granted an injunction allowing him to play in the 2026 season after a court ruling. The NCAA is expected to appeal this decision, but Heinecke is currently eligible to return to the Sooners.
Mentioned in this story
Star Oklahoma Sooners linebacker Owen Heinecke may not have exhausted his collegiate eligibility after all.
According to multiple reports, Heinecke has been granted an injunction by Judge Thad Balkman in Cleveland County Court that will allow him to play one more season of college football. Judge Balkman also reportedly prohibited the NCAA from taking action against Heinecke or the University of Oklahoma because of Heinecke’s being allowed to play.
Heinecke filed a request for a preliminary injunction against the NCAA, after his petition and appeal for an extra year of eligibility were both denied this winter. Taking the NCAA to court, Heinecke won his case, and is now immediately eligible to return to OU for the 2026 season.
While the NCAA will likely appeal the decision, much like in Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss' case, Thursday's decision is a significant win for Heinecke and Co., as the way has now been cleared for him to return to the Sooners. Reportedly, there's a chance the NCAA's likely appeal wouldn't be heard until during or after the 2026 season.
Heinecke had been denied a fourth year of college football after playing 15 total minutes of lacrosse over three games at Ohio State in 2021. He had also missed all of the 2022 season at OU, due to injury. After mostly playing on special teams in 2023 and 2024, Heinecke broke onto the scene at inside linebacker in 2025, helping OU make the College Football Playoff and starting the season's final five games.
Heinecke registered 74 total tackles, three sacks, one forced fumble, and four pass breakups in his first significant playing time as Sooner. Barring a drastic change, he'll now return to Norman for one last year in 2026, instead of heading off to the NFL Draft. Heinecke attended the NFL combine and OU's pro day, and was a near certainty to hear his name called, but will look to improve his draft stock for next year.
Oklahoma athletics director Roger Denny released a statement after the decision was made by Judge Balkman, saying, "We're grateful for today's decision. This is a fair outcome for a young man who has handled this process with integrity and resilience. We're proud to stand with Owen and look forward to supporting him as he returns to competition in a Sooners uniform."
Judge Thad Balkman's injunction allows Owen Heinecke to play one more season of college football for the Oklahoma Sooners in 2026.
Owen Heinecke's eligibility was initially denied due to his limited participation in lacrosse at Ohio State and missing the entire 2022 season due to injury.
If the NCAA appeals the injunction, it could delay any potential consequences for Heinecke and the University of Oklahoma until after the 2026 season.
In the 2025 season, Owen Heinecke emerged as a key player, starting the final five games and helping Oklahoma reach the College Football Playoff.

Baltimore Ravens unveil new uniforms, including a striking black helmet!

Chris Paul shares meme mocking Clippers after their season-ending loss
USWNT loses 1-0 to Japan, ending their winning streak.
How the 2019 Rockets Shaped Donovan Mitchell's Playoff Readiness
Xavier adds Rolyns Aligbe, a standout from Southern Illinois, to their roster.

PFL announces 12-fight lineup for May 23 event in Brussels
See every story in Sports — including breaking news and analysis.
Heinecke also told the media after the decision on his fate had been made that he got a call from OU head coach Brent Venables, who testified, along with OU general manager Jim Nagy, in the case. With just one week until the NFL draft, time was running out for Venables and the Sooners to get Heinecke back, but now that he is, the star LB expressed his excitement.
"He was pretty excited, but not as excited as I am," Heinecke said. "Just to hear him be excited is something that’s super special. I told him, remember how excited you are right now when I have a mental error and he said, ‘Not a chance.’ It’s a good coach-player relationship. I’m excited for one more year with him."
Heinecke's return to Oklahoma means that he'll be one of the veteran stars and leaders for the 2026 Sooners, who will get a huge piece of their defense back for this season. As Oklahoma gears up for what it hopes will be a year to remember, they'll now have the benefit of a fan-favorite who Venables said is "just now coming into his own as a football player" back in the fold to help them chase their goals in 2026.
Contact/Follow us@SoonersWireon X (formerly Twitter) and like our page onFacebookto follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes and opinions. You can also follow Aaron on X@Aaron_Gelvin.
This article originally appeared on Sooners Wire: Star OU linebacker receives injunction, eligible to return in 2026