Oklahoma's Habern Out 6-8 Weeks With Broken Arm

Layna Dewell, News9.com

NORMAN, Oklahoma -- Oklahoma center Ben Habern is sidelined with a broken right forearm and will miss the next 6-8 weeks of the season.

The junior from Argyle, Texas, broke the radius bone in his snapping arm during Saturday's 38-28 victory over Missouri.

Habern has already had surgery on his arm and Gabe Ikard will replace him at the center position.

The team says Habern could return to play at the guard position in as early as four weeks.

Habern, one of the Sooners captains, has made 17 straight starts for the Sooners.

Related Story: Sooner Overcome Slow Start To Beat Missouri

Last season as a sophomore, Habern led all offensive linemen with 1,070 snaps played and 123 knockdowns.

In 2009 he suffered a season-ending injury against Texas Tech but still played 741 snaps and tallied 70 knockdowns.

After playing three games in 2008, Habern received medical redshirt because of another ankle injury suffered during a game against Baylor.

Saturday night OU offensive guard Gabe Ikard told the Associated Press that Habern is "our best lineman, definitely our best interior guy, so we collectively would have to step and all raise our game to make up for losing him."

Oklahoma returns to play Oct. 1 hosting Ball State at 6 p.m.