Brady Cook injury update: Eli Drinkwitz gives cryptic response on availability

Eli Drinkwitz gave a perplexing response when asked about the status of Brady Cook this week.

During his press conference on Tuesday, Drinkwitz got a question about Cook being at practice today after having an ankle injury last weekend. That got a simple answer out of the head coach for Missouri.

“Yes, I expect Brady to be at practice,” said Drinkwitz.

However, after a second thought, Drinkwitz asked the reporter to clarify his question.

“Define ‘at’,” Drinkwitz added.

When he explained that he more so meant participatiion, Drinkwitz’s answer became more complicated. Will Cook be at practice today for the Tigers? Yes. Will Cook actually be practicing today in CoMo, though? That’s for Mizzou alone to know.

“I don’t know if I’d say participate,” said Drinkwitz. “I anticipate that he will be out at practice but 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 at practice.”

Cook, who looked to suffer something that was non-contact at first, left in the opening quarter of Missouri’s game against Auburn. After originally thinking he could come back, he ended up unlikely as he was at the hospital for an MRI. Still, he was able to return by the end of the third quarter and help lead the team to a double-digit, fourth-quarter comeback in a 21-17 win.

In his quarter or so of action on the afternoon, Cook was 11-22 (50%) for 194 yards. In his place during the first through third quarters, Drew Pyne was 10/21 (47.6%) for 78 yards.

Cook is 130-206 (63.1%) this fall for 1,545 yards, seven touchdowns, and a pick so far this year for Missouri. He has also rushed for four scores this season.

So, will Cook practice today or at all this week? Will he be available for the Top-25 matchup in Tuscaloosa against Alabama? Only time will tell with Drinkwitz keeping the details for themselves after that puzzling answer this afternoon.