Eli Drinkwitz confirms Chad Bailey having procedure, out multiple weeks

Going into the 2023 season, Missouri will be without one of its stars on defense with veteran middle linebacker Chad Bailey expected to be out for a few weeks.

Coach Eli Drinkwitz explained over the weekend that Bailey is undergoing an operation and won’t be available for a little while.

“Chad Bailey actually is undergoing a procedure today,” Drinkwitz said. “We anticipate he’ll be out for 21 days, maybe less, maybe more. It’s a procedure, so disappointed for Chad. I know he’s worked really hard to be a great leader. Obviously captain. He’s one of the best returning Mike linebackers in the SEC, which puts you in some rare air, in my opinion, in all of college football.”

Bailey has started in 19 games over the last two season, serving as a key cog in the middle of the defense. In 2022 he racked up 57 tackles, 8.5 tackles for a loss and 2.5 sacks.

He worked well in tandem with former Florida linebacker Ty’Ron Hopper, helping the Tigers field one of the better defenses in the SEC East.

But Bailey will be back early in the season, if the projected timeline from Drinkwitz plays out.

“He’s attacking it. He’s got the right mentality,” Drinkwitz said. “He’ll be back as soon as possible. So disappointed for him, but Dae Dae has done a really good job. Dameon Wilson‘s done a really good job. Chuck Hicks has done a really good job stepping up in his absence. We’ve been kind of in this mode all of fall camp, so those guys have gotten the majority of the reps.”

Wilson is a sophomore who saw action for Missouri in 12 games last season, making two starts. He finished the season with 16 tackles, a fumble recovery and a blocked kick, showing he could be a disruptive force for the Tigers.

Hicks, meanwhile, is a graduate student who did not appear in a game in 2022 due to injury. He is a former Wyoming transfer who has made limited impact in his time at Missouri so far, joining prior to the 2021 season.

Missouri will be in action on Thursday with a season opener against South Dakota. The game will begin at 7 p.m. ET with a broadcast on the SEC Network.