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Oklahoma RB Joe Mixon won't play in spring game

Oklahoma running back Joe Mixon will participate in spring practice for the Sooners, but head coach Bob Stoops said the former five-star recruit won’t play in the team’s spring game.

It has been a long eight months since Mixon was suspended for allegedly punching a woman in the face and knocking her unconscious at a restaurant. After being charged with a misdemeanor and ultimately entering a plea deal in October, Mixon received a one-year deferred sentence.

Mixon returned to the football team in February and now is back on the team’s official spring roster and ready to participate when practice begins on Saturday.

Stoops clarified that Mixon sitting out the team’s spring game on April 11 is part of his original punishment associated with his suspension.

Prior to the incident, Mixon’s arrival at Oklahoma was hugely hyped. He was the top-rated running back and the No. 8 ranked prospect in the country coming out of the 2014 recruiting class from Freedom High School in Oakley, California. At 6-foot-2 and 207 pounds, he was expected to provide an immediate boost along with Semaje Perine to the Sooners’ backfield.

With Mixon suspended, Perine exploded onto the scene and rushed for 1,745 yards and 21 touchdowns on 6.5 yards per carry. Perine also set an NCAA single-game rushing record with 427 yards on the ground against Kansas on Nov. 22.

If Mixon lives up to expectations, the Sooners should have a lethal one-two punch in the backfield for the next few seasons.

For more Oklahoma news, visit SoonerScoop.com.

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Sam Cooper is a contributor for the Yahoo Sports blogs. Have a tip? Email him or follow him on Twitter!