Brady Cook injury update: Missouri QB heads to tent with separate ailment vs. Alabama

Brady Cook’s status was in question heading into a Week 9 game against Alabama due to an ankle injury suffered last week. But in the first quarter of Saturday’s matchup, he suffered a separate injury and headed to the tent for evaluation.

Cook appeared to hit his hand on a helmet when he was tackled on an incomplete pass with 7:36 left in the first quarter. ABC’s Katie George reported he received treatment on the sideline and later headed to the injury tent to get checked out.

“Unrelated to his ankle, he hit his right throwing hand on a helmet when he was last tackled,” George said on the broadcast. “He’s been grimacing over on the sidelines, athletic trainers have been taking a look, he’s even tested throwing. Now, he’s in the injury tent, so stay tuned.”

Cook’s status against Alabama looked “pessimistic” earlier in the week, ESPN’s Pete Thamel reported. Cook was listed as doubtful on Wednesday’s injury report but became questionable by Friday. He then jumped under center as the starting quarterback on Saturday, and Drinkwitz said the plan was to let it rip.

Cook was already dealing with an ankle injury, which led to questions about whether he would even play Saturday against Alabama. He wasn’t able to fully practice during the week, but Eli Drinkwitz still opted to let him get the start in the Week 9 matchup.

“Due to the ankle injury, Brady Cook was unable to practice much for Missouri this week,” George said. “Now, he was able to go through walk-through on Thursday, but that was about it. So he’s been on the sideline, stretching, using the Theragun on his glutes and hamstrings.

“Worth mentioning that Eli Drinkwitz said this is the first time he’s ever played a quarterback after not practicing much in the week. But he felt like since Cook is a three-year starter, a veteran, established, that he had confidence in doing so.”

Cook went down in the first quarter of last week’s game against Auburn and later headed across the street to the hospital for testing. However, he quickly returned and helped lead Mizzou to the 21-17 victory.

Cook entered Saturday’s game completing 63.1% of his passes for 1,545 yards and seven touchdowns through seven starts this year. Missouri is coming off back-to-back wins entering the matchup with Alabama and will look to stay in the heated SEC race.