Missouri football injury updates. Offensive starter cleared to play, QB Beau Pribula doubtful
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Missouri football tight end Brett Norfleet was removed from the Tigers’ SEC-mandated availability report on Friday night, which means he is expected to be available for Saturday’s game against Mississippi State.
Starting quarterback Beau Pribula remained listed as ‘doubtful’ on Friday’s report, which was the same designation as the Wednesday and Thursday reports. That means the likelihood is that he will not play, but he has not yet officially been ruled out.
There are no other new additions on the Mizzou side. Defensive end Langden Kitchen, however, was ruled out on the Wednesday report. Sam Horn and kicker Blake Craig — both of whom were ruled out for the season after Week 1 — were the only other Mizzou players officially ruled out of the game.
The SEC-mandated reports are required of member organizations every night beginning Wednesday in the leadup to an in-conference matchup, with the final report publishing 90 minutes before kickoff.
The possible designations, from most likely to play to least likely, are: available; probable; questionable; doubtful; out.
Pribula sustained a “non-fractured dislocated ankle” against Vanderbilt on Oct. 25. While the team has not set an official timetable for a return, that typical recovery period for that injury designation made it unlikely he would return in the regular season.
But, the latest update indicates he is at least on an encouraging timetable for recovery. When Mizzou faces Mississippi State, it will be just 21 days since Pribula sustained the injury.
If Pribula is unable to play, then freshman Matt Zollers will make the second start of his career for MU against the Bulldogs.
Norfleet, who missed MU’s loss against Texas A&M last Saturday, sustained a separated shoulder against Vanderbilt and had been classified as day-to-day by Drinkwitz.
He leads all SEC tight ends with five receiving touchdowns on the season and has caught 26 passes for 224 yards. In the event that Zollers starts, Norfleet’s return will give the rookie QB an additional and useful option in the passing game.
Mississippi State quarterback Blake Shapen was removed from the Friday report, meaning he is available to play. The Bulldogs still seemingly have a decision to make at quarterback, with either Shapen, the veteran presence, or true freshman Kamario Taylor in line to start.
The Bulldogs have officially ruled out starting safety Isaac Smith, backup corner Jett Jefferson and backup defensive lineman Will Whitson. Starting offensive tackle Albert Reese IV is available after appearing on an earlier report this week.
Mizzou’s game against Mississippi State is scheduled to kick off at 6:45 p.m. Saturday in Columbia. It will be the Tigers’ final home game of the 2025 season.
Missouri and Mississippi State will release one more follow-up availability report approximately 90 minutes before kickoff Saturday.
Missouri football’s full Friday availability report
- QB Beau Pribula (doubtful)
- QB Sam Horn (out)
- K Blake Craig (out)
- DE Langden Kitchen (out)
Mississippi State full Friday availability report
- S Isaac Smith (out)
- CB Jett Jefferson (out)
- DL Will Whitson (out)
- OL Brennan Smith (out)
- OL Blake Steen (out)
What is the availability report?
The SEC-mandated reports are not technically injury reports, which some teams — Mizzou often included — provided in years prior. Instead, they are lists that include any players ruled unavailable or possibly unavailable for upcoming games. That could be for any number of reasons, including but not limited to injuries.
The reports are only mandated before in-conference matchups and are closely linked to the growing sports gambling market.
Inaccurate or late reports in football are subject to fines ranging from $25,000-$100,000.
This article originally appeared on Columbia Daily Tribune: Missouri football Brett Norfleet, Beau Pribula injury updates
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