Oklahoma running back Keith Ford is expected to miss 2-3 weeks with a slight fracture in his foot suffered during Saturday’s victory over Tennessee, coach Bob Stoops said Monday.

Ford will miss Saturday’s road game at West Virginia, but has a chance to return following the team’s bye week and in time for an Oct. 4 game against TCU.

“He won’t play this week for sure. After that it’s a little unsure,” Stoops said, per SoonerScoop.com. “It can be two weeks to three. You just don’t know for sure.”

Ford is Oklahoma’s leading rusher with 197 yards to go with five touchdowns. He also has six receptions for 100 yards and another touchdown. Ford (5-feet-11, 206 pounds) is the No. 17-rated sophomore running back in the nation by NFLDraftScout.com, but the Sooners have enjoyed production from a deep backfield early this season.

Freshman Samaje Perine (177 rushing yards this season) and sophomore Alex Ross (132) will receive the bulk of the action in Ford’s absence.

“We love him,” Stoops said of Perine. “He’s an excellent runner. Even when there’s not much there he finds a way to make something happen with his power.”