Brady Cook injury update: Report confirms status vs. Oklahoma

Missouri quarterback Brady Cook will be out against Oklahoma on Saturday, per ESPN’s Pete Thamel. Cook suffered a hand injury against Alabama on Oct. 26 and hurt his ankle in the Tigers’ win over Auburn on Oct. 19.

The veteran QB is battling both injuries as he works to make a return to the field. He certainly would be on the gridiron if he was able. Cook has made 35 consecutive starts for Missouri.

Drew Pyne is expected to start in Cook’s place on Saturday. Pyne transferred to Missouri this offseason after spending the 2023 campaign at Arizona State and the 2020-22 seasons with Notre Dame.

Pyne started for the Fighting Irish in 2022, completing 164-of-his-254 pass attempts for 2,021 yards and 22 touchdowns. In total, Pyne boasts 2,530 passing yards and 26 scores in his collegiate career.

When Cook left the game against Alabama in Week 8, Pyne struggled to replace him. He finished the game with just six completions while throwing three interceptions. Despite Pyne’s underwhelming showing against the Crimson Tide, Missouri head coach Eli Drinkwitz has faith in the graduate QB.

“Hopefully, it was a learning opportunity,” Drinkwitz said. “We put him in some bad situations, and we’ve got to protect better. We’ve got to establish the run better, and we can’t turn the ball over.

“Look, quarterback is not a position without errors, and we’ve all had tough days at that position, but we have confidence in Drew, and Drew’s practiced well, and our team is behind him, if that’s what it needs to be.”

Missouri needs a victory on Saturday. The team is 6-2 this season but hasn’t had success against top talent, losing to Texas A&M and Alabama by a combined 65 points. This weekend, the Tigers will have a chance to regain their footing as they square off against the Sooners.

Drinkwitz is excited for the opportunity.

“We can either choose to be victims or be relentless in our pursuit of being a better football team,” Drinkwitz said. “Drew (Pyne) has been relentless being dedicated to his goals. When you face setbacks, finding ways to respond and grow from them, develop toughness and be determined to meet the standard.

“Not only Drew but J.R. (Blood), Brady (Cook), offensive line, running backs, wide receivers, defensive players — I think all of us have chosen we’re going to be relentless and continue to improve this football team.”

Missouri and Oklahoma will square off at 7:45 p.m. ET on Saturday. The game will air live on the SEC Network.