It’s been a wild ride in Columbia. Honestly, if you followed the Tigers through the 2025 season, you know the missouri injury report football updates felt more like a medical drama than a sports broadcast at times. One week you’re riding high, the next you’re wondering who’s even left to take the snap.
The grit was there, but man, the luck? Not so much.
By the time the Gator Bowl rolled around in late December against Virginia, Eli Drinkwitz was basically playing a game of roster Tetris. You had cornerstone players like linebacker Josiah Trotter and tight end Brett Norfleet sidelined after being the heartbeat of the team for months. It wasn't just "bumps and bruises." We’re talking about surgery-level stuff that reshaped the entire trajectory of the post-season.
The Quarterback Carousel Nobody Wanted
Let’s talk about the signal-callers because that's where things got truly messy.
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Beau Pribula was supposed to be the guy. He had the keys to the offense, but a leg injury against Vanderbilt on October 25th ended his season early and eventually led him to the transfer portal. It was a massive blow. Then came the Matt Zollers era. The freshman showed flashes of absolute brilliance—the kid has a cannon—but he didn't escape the injury bug either.
During the Texas A&M game in November, Zollers banged up his hand. He stayed in, but you could tell he was limited. When you lose your QB1 and then your backup is playing through a "mangled" hand, the playbook shrinks. Fast.
Key Names on the 2025-2026 Mend
- Josiah Trotter (LB): The leading tackler (84 total stops!) underwent knee surgery after gutting it out against Arkansas. He's arguably the biggest loss for the defense heading into the 2026 draft cycle.
- Brett Norfleet (TE): A shoulder injury that lingered since the Vanderbilt game finally required surgery. He’s a massive target that was sorely missed in the red zone.
- Sam Horn (QB): Lost very early in the year to a season-ending injury.
- Beau Pribula (QB): Leg injury ended his Mizzou career before he hopped into the portal.
Navigating the SEC Availability Report
The SEC doesn't play around with transparency anymore. Since the 2024 season, the league has mandated these "Availability Reports" that come out three days before kickoff. It’s supposed to stop the gamesmanship, but for fans, it’s just a weekly dose of anxiety.
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Basically, if a player is "Doubtful," they have about a 25% chance of playing. "Questionable" is the 50/50 coin flip that drives bettors and fantasy players insane.
For Missouri, the "Out" list stayed stubbornly long in the final weeks of the 2025 regular season. Watching the report on Friday nights became a ritual. Seeing names move from "Probable" to "Game Time Decision" usually meant a lot of late-night tape for the coaching staff to adjust.
What This Means for 2026
The good news? The training room is starting to clear out. As of mid-January 2026, the focus has shifted from "who can play Saturday" to "who is healthy for spring ball."
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Drinkwitz has been busy in the portal to patch the holes left by both injuries and departures. Bringing in Austin Simmons (the former Ole Miss starter) is a clear signal that they aren't taking any chances with depth at QB again. Simmons himself is coming off an ankle injury, but reports suggest he's full-go for spring practice.
The Tigers are also getting some "injury reinforcements" in the form of returning players who sat out or were limited. Cayden Green is staying put on the O-line, which is a massive win for whoever is under center.
Actionable Steps for Mizzou Fans
- Monitor the Spring Game: Keep an eye on Matt Zollers' hand mobility and Austin Simmons' ankle. These are the two biggest medical storylines of the offseason.
- Watch the Recovery of Josiah Trotter: If he decides to return instead of hitting the NFL, his knee rehab schedule will dictate how the defense looks in August.
- Check the SEC Portal: The portal closes and opens in windows; often, players who were "injured" use that time to find a fresh start. Stay tuned to the official Missouri football social channels for roster stabilization news.
The missouri injury report football situation was a tough pill to swallow in 2025, but it paved the way for a lot of young talent to get "trial by fire" snaps. If the health luck turns around, this roster is actually deeper than people realize.
Next Steps for You: Check the latest transfer portal additions to see how the Tigers are replacing the injured starters who moved on. Keep an eye on the official spring practice schedule usually released in February.