CORVALLIS - A hand injury to Darrell Catchings over the weekend sent shockwaves through the Oregon State football team's offense.

The junior split end is out for the year after fracturing a bone at the base of his right hand next to his wrist.

Early projections had him out three to four weeks, but after seeing a specialist Monday afternoon it was determined he needs surgery this week, the Beavers said.

"It's kind of disappointing, but stuff happens," Catchings said earlier in the day before the extent of the injury was fully known. "They X-rayed (over the weekend) and it's not a big fracture."

Catchings was injured during a blocking drill Saturday night. The ball carrier ran into the back of his elbow and his hand was jammed into the tackler.

He knew something was wrong immediately, but didn't think it was serious and finished practice.

Losing Catchings is a big blow to the Beavers. He has been groomed to be the go-to receiver this season. The split end is the first option in many of OSU's passing plays.

Two years ago when Sammie Stroughter was injured, Catchings, then a true freshman, was thrust into the primary receiver role. He struggled due to inexperience and OSU's deep threat was almost non-existent.

Catchings, who played significantly his first two seasons with 40 catches for 481 yards and a touchdown, is coming off a strong spring.

There was a chance he could return late in the season, but coach Mike Riley has decided to keep him out the full season. Catchings has not used his redshirt, so he can sit out this season and still have two seasons of eligibility starting in 2010.

The Beavers are deep but young at receiver, and the plan is to go with true freshman Markus Wheaton. He moved from backup flanker to No. 1 split end.

"We are going to put Markus Wheaton over there, and we are going to spoon feed that," Riley said. "And then maintain what we have."

Backup split end Damola Adeniji, a senior walk-on, will split time there and flanker, Wheaton's old position. Redshirt freshman Geno Munoz will be prepped at split end.

Wheaton, a 6-foot-1, 175-pounder from Chandler, Ariz., was rated the 41st best prep athlete prospect in the nation last year and seventh best player in Arizona, according to Rivals.com.

Riley envisioned him running the fly sweep with his 4.5-second speed in the 40-yard dash. However, his hands and ability to separate from defensive backs makes him a quality deep threat.

"I have to start over with the plays, so that's hard," Wheaton said of the move. "But I'm excited about it. I just want to get on the field and show them what I can do."

Wheaton is a little behind due to the position change. There are different principles and wording to know going from flanker to the featured receiver position.

There were already plans to make Wheaton play as a true freshman. He's being worked in as a returner, punt returns primarily.

"He's really good," Catchings said. "He has a lot of talent. I'm going to coach him up and get him ready. He's been in his books a lot and learning the plays. I think he'll be ready come game time."