Missouri RB Cody Schrader expected to play vs. Kentucky

Missouri looks like it could have Cody Schrader on the field this week after all. He’s expected to play Saturday when the Tigers take on Kentucky, sources told On3’s Matt Zenitz.

Schrader has been dealing with a quad injury and was considered “questionable at best” earlier this week. He appears to have taken enough improvements to get on the field on Friday when Missouri heads to Kentucky for a Saturday matchup.

Schrader leads Mizzou with 577 rushing yards this year and six touchdowns through six games. He’s a key part of the offense, and that was evident last week against LSU. He ran for 114 yards and three touchdowns as Missouri fell to LSU in a 49-39 shootout in Columbia.

Eli Drinkwitz confirmed Schrader’s injury earlier this week and didn’t sound too optimistic about his chances of playing in Week 7. He said Schrader pulled his quad, which is why Drinkwitz wasn’t sure if he’d have his top running back — even though he’d fight to be on the field.

“He’ll be questionable this week at best,” Drinkwitz said. “That is a tough injury. I would have put him in a different category but we’re talking about Cody Schrader. So, if he’s breathing, he’s going to be trying to play.

Drinkwitz also praised Schrader’s performance against LSU, which he pulled off through the injury. It speaks to his tough mentality.

“To rush for 100-something yards against LSU for three touchdowns on a pulled quad — it’s remarkable,” Drinkwitz said. “There is no other way to say it.”

Schrader isn’t the only Missouri player dealing with an injury this week. Defensive back Ennis Rakestraw has been nursing a groin injury, which is why he didn’t play against Memphis last month. It flared up again last week, according to Drinkwitz.

“He’s been battling a groin thing,” Drinkwitz said. “It’s a unique situation. That’s what held him out of the Memphis game. It’s flared back up on the other side. We’re going to hold him this week. So, he’ll be out this week.”

Drinkwitz said Rakestraw could play on Saturday, but nothing would be solved long-term. That’s why there’s plenty to consider when determining his status.

“We need to try to get him healthy so we’re not constantly going on this back and forth,” Drinkwitz said. “It’s not fair to him as a player. He’s a competitor and if it’s left to his own devices, he’s always going to air on the side of wanting to compete to play. The job as a head coach is to make sure we balance that team and individual — what’s best for both at the same time.”