Missouri Tigers announce three season-ending injuries

The Missouri Tigers announced Thursday three seniors have suffered season-ending injuries. Entering the bye week, the young replacements have nine days to prepare for the Vanderbilt Commodores in a battle between struggling SEC teams.

Missouri lost starting right guard Case Cook, starting defensive end Chris Turner, and reserve defensive back Mason Pack to unspecified season-ending injuries.

Although head coach Eli Drinkwitz opted to remove the Missouri depth chart from media guides, saying whichever players practiced best would play, the last available data offers an idea of who could fill in.

At right guard, redshirt freshman EJ Ndoma-Ogar was listed at backup. Turner was co-starter beside junior Isaiah McGuire and freshman Arden Walker was listed at backup. The secondary, which has been depleted by injuries already, has several young options to fill Pack’s roll.

Missouri also lost sophomore cornerback Ennis Rakestraw two weeks ago with a torn ACL, making Pack’s injury more impactful. As a result, the Tigers will lean on Akayleb Evans, Allie Green IV and Kris Abrams-Draine as the top three cornerbacks. Safeties Martez Manuel and Jaylon Carlies complete the secondary.

Luther Burden commits to Missouri

Four-star wide receiver Luther Burden of St. Louis, IL committed to Missouri on Tuesday, choosing the Tigers over Alabama and Georgia.

The 6-foot-2 195 pounder was previously committed to Oklahoma, but opened his recruitment back up on August 17th. Since then, Burden has visited multiple schools but trimmed it down to Georgia, Missouri, and Alabama last month.

Ultimately, the idea of staying home and the strength of the relationships built with the Mizzou staff lead him to his decision.

“Mizzou is close to home, so that’s always a plus,” Burden said. “Coach (Eliah) Drinkwitz is really rebuilding the program, and I can see that we are getting better with recruiting. I really like the offense as well.”

The 2022 wide receiver also has former high school teammates on the Tigers, and has good relationships with both players and coaches.

“I know all of the coaches up there, and we have good relationships,” Burden said. “I also talk to Dominic Lovett and Tyler Macon all the time. We talk about being home and trying to build something. It would be cool to say we created something here at home.”

Burden and his former teammates look to do just that. He also plans to graduate early and enroll in January.

Luther Burden, who is ranked as the No. 12 WR in the On300 2022 Rankings, joins Sam Horn, Tavorus Jones, Tristan Wilson, and others in Mizzou’s 2022 class that ranks top five in the SEC.