COLUMBIA, Mo. — No. 21 Missouri will likely be without its leading rusher when it travels to face No. 15 Alabama on Saturday, something that's shaping up to be a notable loss for an offense facing availability questions at key positions. And the status of Mizzou's starting quarterback remains in question.
Running back Nate Noel was listed as doubtful on Mizzou's first injury report of the week Wednesday night.
Earlier on Wednesday, ESPN reported that Noel will miss the game, which may wind up being the case but has not been set in stone. No decision has been made regarding whether he'll ultimately play against the Crimson Tide, a team spokesperson told the Post-DispatchÂ
Quarterback Brady Cook, who suffered a high ankle sprain against Auburn, was also listed as doubtful. Given his track record and importance to the Tigers having a chance to win, however, it seems like his status will come down to the wire ahead of Saturday's game — and Cook will be difficult to keep off the field.
People are also reading…
It's likely too early in the week for the team to know much about how Cook's ankle will be doing on Saturday, so signs point toward him being designated no better than questionable on each injury report up to game day.
Missouri included a swath of other players on its first injury report in what could be an actual indication of possible absences or could wind up being some gamesmanship from coach Eli Drinkwitz.
Wide receiver Mookie Cooper was also listed as doubtful, and fellow wideout Marquis Johnson was deemed probable. Among the players listed as questionable:
- STAR Daylan Carnell
- Left guard Cayden Green
- Tight end Brett Norfleet
- Safety Joseph Charleston
- Safety Tre'Vez Johnson
- STAR Sidney Williams Sr.
Noel suffered a non-fracture foot injury during MU's comeback win over Auburn. The exact nature of his injury is unknown. He attempted to come back into the game but was evidently unable to do so.
Noel, who transferred to Missouri from Appalachian State, has 85 carries for 503 yards and two touchdowns this season. He missed the Tigers' game at Massachusetts with back tightness before suffering his foot injury last weekend.
If Noel does wind up out against Alabama, Marcus Carroll will be Mizzou's primary tailback. Carroll has picked up 131 yards and four touchdowns in his last two games, both of which involved fill-in duty for Noel.Â
Jamal Roberts and Kewan Lacy would also be in line for snaps should Noel miss time.
The Southeastern Conference requires teams to release injury reports on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday evenings before conference games, with players designated as out, doubtful, questionable or probable.
Coach Eli Drinkwitz said Tuesday that Cook would be in attendance for the Tigers' practice that day but wouldn't go so far as to suggest he'd be participating. A portion of that workout is typically open to the media, but Drinkwitz closed it to keep reporters from seeing how Cook and other players were practicing.
"That’s why I’m not letting the media at practice, so that y’all can’t worry about what he’s doing or not doing in practice," he said.