— NORMAN – Oklahoma’s defensive line depth finally got a boost on Monday. Senior defensive tackle Casey Walker returned to practice after missing the first two games for undisclosed reasons.

“He was fine. It was as you expect,” Sooner coach Bob Stoops said about Walker’s return.

For a defensive line that’s been shuffled and stressed throughout the first two weeks, any addition is welcome. Getting a senior and a third-year starter back is a huge bonus.

“He’s a big body and he’s been playing on this line for four years now,” said defensive lineman David King. We need his experience and that big body of his,”

The reason Walker’s return is important is because it will finally allow the Sooners to utilize King all over the defensive line. The plan going into the season was to use King just about everywhere. The 6-foot-5, 285-pound senior can create exploitable mismatches.

He’s a lot quicker than most guards are used to when he rushes from the defensive tackle spot. King is bigger than most defensive ends that tackles are used to banging heads against the run.

With Kansas State coming up Sept. 22, King has started working exclusively at defensive end in preparation for a team that has already run the ball 100 times in two games.

“Casey is a big part of what we do. He gives us another very stout body in the middle,” defensive coordinator Mike Stoops said. “He’s played some great football for us and we’re excited to get him back and hopefully stronger than ever.”

The defensive line is the group that hasn’t been able to settle into the season and the statistics bare that out. UTEP and Florida A&M averaged 4.2 yards per carry against a defensive line that was undermanned.

Walker’s absence and the indefinite suspension of Muskogee native Stacy McGee has shaken the foundation. King and Jamarkus McFarland were the only defensive tackles that played meaningful snaps in the season opener. Redshirt freshman Jordan Phillips and Marquis Anderson were able to see some action against Florida A&M.

The two weeks of preparation the Sooners will get before facing the 15th-ranked Wildcats is a chance for the defensive line to solidify its personnel.

“It’s going to be good. We thought we held the ship down, but at the same time it’s always good to have another body in there with you,” McFarland said. “To have him back is big for us in the middle. I can work three or nose, whichever one. But it’s going to be good.”

How good will depend on what OU does against Kansas State. The Wildcats represent the beginning of a serious upgrade in opponents. After Kansas State, OU faces Texas Tech, which it hasn’t beaten in Lubbock, Texas, since 2003 and Texas.