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NORMAN — Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops promised an announcement regarding the roster. On Wednesday afternoon, he dropped a bombshell.

All-Big 12 center Ben Habern has decided to end his career due to a neck injury.

“Our coaching staff knows this was a difficult decision for Ben,” Stoops said in a statement Wednesday afternoon. “Ben has been a consummate leader for our team, both on and off the field. We appreciate the toughness that Ben has displayed, and we wish him the very best as he completes his education at OU.”

Habern was limited to six starts last season due to a broken arm. He missed spring practice after having surgery on his neck for an injury that dated back to high school. Habern started 30 games in his career starting in 2009. He was a preseason All-Big 12 selection heading into this season.

Stoops also announced wide receivers Jaz Reynolds and Trey Franks and defensive back Quentin Hayes had been reinstated to the roster. But as of now the trio will only be allowed to practice. Stoops the group remains suspended indefinitely from playing in games.

They along with wide receiver Kameel Jackson were “indefinitely suspended” from the team in June. Stoops said Jackson’s suspension will continue until the end of the current academic session, which ends Friday.

Stoops also said junior college transfers Will Latu, and Courtney Gardner will not play at OU this season. Stoops hopes Gardner will be able to join the program in January. Gardner needs to obtain his associates degree from Sierra College in Reno, Nev., to become eligible.

The roster announcement confirms the Sooners will likely head into the season extremely thin at wide receiver. Junior Kenny Stills is the only receiver who has a started a college football game. Freshmen Trey Metoyer, Durron Neal, Sterling Shepard and junior college transfer LaColton Bester will have to play major roles this season.

Habern’s decision to end his career is the move that seemed to come out of nowhere on Wednesday. The senior joined quarterback Landry Jones and cornerback Demontre Hurst at Big 12 Football Media Day in Dallas on July 23. Habern certainly didn’t act like his career was jeopardy when he met with reporters.

“(OU team physician Dr. Brock) Schnabel is an amazing doctor. He’s done a few of my surgeries. I have complete trust in him,” Habern said. “To know exactly what he did and how he fixed it, to know what’s in my neck now is completely safe and everything’s healed up, it’s good.”

Last season, OU moved All-Big 12 guard Gabe Ikard to center after Habern suffered the arm injury. There’s actually pretty good depth at the center and guard spots for the Sooners to withstand Habern’s sudden departure.

Senior guard Tyler Evans has been a starter for the last two seasons and sophomore Adam Shead had a stellar freshman season. Also, junior Bronson Irwin and redshirt freshman Nila Kasitati, who had surgery for a non-career-threatening heart condition on Tuesday, have pushed for playing time.

Habern said last week in Dallas that freshman center Ty Darlington was also ready to play.

“He’s a little underweight, but most guys are as freshmen,” Habern said of Darlington. “I wouldn’t be surprised if he gets some playing time this year, because he’s a big strong kid, and he’s got some athleticism.”

The Sooners will start figuring it all out when they hold their first preseason practice Friday night.