TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Brady Cook seemingly has taken a step closer toward availability for Missouri football’s game Saturday at Alabama.
Mizzou’s starting quarterback was upgraded to “questionable” on Missouri football’s Friday availability report after being listed as “doubtful” in each of the past two reports. Cook will likely be a game-time decision Saturday, but the upgrade in designation suggests he at least has a shot at starting against the Crimson Tide.
Missouri’s starting running back Nate Noel officially was ruled out of the game in Tuscaloosa. He had been doubtful on the previous two availability reports.
Other than Noel’s change of status, the Tigers’ Friday report painted a much more optimistic picture for several of the Tigers’ starters compared to the two reports that were published Wednesday and Thursday.
Tight end Brett Norfleet, left guard Cayden Green and safeties Joseph Charleston, Daylan Carnell, Tre’Vez Johnson and Sidney Williams Sr. all were listed as probable on the Friday report. Those six players carried questionable designations earlier in the week, but now seem likely to play.
More: What is Missouri football’s path to win at Alabama? 3 keys for Tigers in Tuscaloosa
More: Nobody expected Brady Cook to return. Here are stories from the Missouri football sideline
Cook suffered a high-ankle sprain against Auburn last Saturday but was able to return and spearhead a fourth-quarter comeback victory. Per a report from ESPN’s Pete Thamel, Cook was in a boot during Mizzou’s walkthrough at Bryant-Denny Stadium on Friday but is expected to at least try to play on Saturday.
Noel reportedly has been dealing with a foot injury, and joins wide receiver Mookie Cooper as starters who will sit out the game in Tuscaloosa. Cooper’s absence is for an undisclosed reason.
The Tigers (6-1, 2-1 SEC) and the Crimson Tide (5-2, 2-2) are potentially competing to remain in the race for a berth to the College Football Playoff. The game on Saban Field will kick off at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, and it will air on ABC.
Availability reports are required of all SEC teams on the week of conference matchups, with lists released Wednesday, Thursday and Friday nights leading up to games. The possible designations, from most likely to play to least likely, are: available; probable; questionable; doubtful; out.
Mizzou and Alabama will release one more report approximately 90 minutes prior to kickoff Saturday.
Missouri football’s full Friday availability report
-
Nate Noel, running back, out
-
Mookie Cooper, wide receiver, out
-
Brady Cook, quarterback, questionable
-
Joseph Charleston, safety, probable
-
Tre’Vez Johnson, safety, probable
-
Daylan Carnell, safety, probable
-
Sidney Williams Sr., safety, probable
-
Brett Norfleet, tight end, probable
-
Cayden Green, offensive lineman, probable
-
Marquis Johnson, wide receiver, probable
This article originally appeared on Columbia Daily Tribune: Missouri football QB Brady Cook’s injury status upgraded, starting RB out
