Marcell Ateman will sit out the remainder of the season, and will take a redshirt, Mike Gundy announced in his weekly Monday press conference. A redshirt season in 2016 makes Ateman eligible to return in 2017.

Big news: Ateman will redshirt — John Helsley (@jjhelsley) November 7, 2016

Gundy: Marcell Ateman WILL redshirt. #okstate — Mark Cooper (@mark_cooperjr) November 7, 2016

In 2015, Ateman caught 45 passes for 766 yards and five touchdowns. He was poised for a breakout senior year until a foot injury derailed him for what would eventually become the entire season.

Ateman returning for a fifth season is big news for a couple reasons.

James Washington could turn pro after this season.

Washington leaving for the NFL would leave a void on the outside for the Oklahoma State offense. Ateman returning for a fidth season would make him the most experienced wide receiver, and a leader for the offense.

If James Washington DOESN’T turn pro after this season, watch out.

The Oklahoma State offense would feature James Washington, Marcell Ateman, former 5-Star LSU transfer Tyron Johnson, Jalen McCleskey, Dillon Stoner, and Tylan Wallace. My goodness. That could potentially be the best wide receiver group, not only in the Big 12, but in the country.

The next few weeks will tell us a lot about the roster for the 2017 season, but one thing we know is that OSU will return valuable experience on the edge. In the Big 12, that matters. A lot.