Nate Noel injury update: Report reveals status of Missouri RB ahead of Oklahoma matchup

Missouri running back Nate Noel is expected to return for the Tigers against Oklahoma on Saturday night, after recovering from a foot injury, according to Pete Thamel of ESPN. He hasn’t played since the Auburn game on Oct. 19.

He’s a big boost to the Tigers lineup. Noel has 85 carries this year for 503 yards and two touchdowns. In 2021 with Appalachian State, he had the best season of his career, finishing with 199 carries for 1,128 rushing yards and four touchdowns.

Missouri and Oklahoma will renew their rivalry on Saturday when the Tigers host OU in Columbia. Missouri is looking to bounce back from a poor showing against Alabama last week, while the Sooners are hoping to end their three-game losing streak against SEC opponents.

Both teams have some key players banged up entering the matchup, although it seems as though Oklahoma may be getting back top receiver Deion Burks. For Missouri, the biggest question mark is quarterback Brady Cook, who has been battling injuries in recent weeks and left the game against the Crimson Tide.

Oklahoma Sooners

• WR Jayden Gibson – Out
• RB Jovantae Barnes – Out
• WR Nic Anderson – Out
• WR Andrel Anthony – Out
• DB Gentry Williams – Out
• DB Kendel Dolby – Out
• OL Joshua Bates – Out
• OL Geirean Hatchett – Out
• OL Jacob Sexton – Out
• OL Jake Taylor – Out
• RB Gavin Sawchuk – Questionable
• OL Michael Tarquin – Questionable
• WR Jalil Farooq – Probable
• WR Deion Burks – Probable
• DL PJ Adebawore – Probable

Missouri Tigers

• WR Mookie Cooper – Out
• QB Brady Cook – Out
• LB Brayshawn Littlejohn – Out
• DE Darris Smith – Out
• QB Sam Horn – Out
• LB Khalil Jacobs – Out
• DE Joe Moore – Out
• RB Nate Noel – Probable
• OL Logan Reichart – Probable
• OL Cayden Green – Probable

More news ahead of the Oklahoma-Missouri matchup

Brady Cook began to deal with injury issues in the Auburn game. That game saw him leave with an injury, go to the hospital for tests, then return to the field to lead the Tigers to a come-from-behind win. After that game, he spoke about what returning to that game meant to him.

“Ultimately, I realized I had 2 1/2 games left to play in Faurot [Field] in front of that crowd and in front of Mizzou and we were going to find a way,” Cook said. “I knew we were down. I knew we needed to comeback and find a way to win this game. You know, we lose that game, the rest of our season looks a little different. I recognize that and I knew we needed to go win it.”

Unfortunately, Cook then went on to injure his hand against Alabama and was knocked out of that game entirely. Now, his status moving forward is up in the air.

Oklahoma, meanwhile, has lost the last three games it’s played against FBS opponents. A major issue during the season has been the offense and that’s led to a quarterback controversy and a change in offensive coordinator already. The injuries to the wide receivers also haven’t helped.

Deion Burks last played against Tennessee in September and has been out since then with a “soft tissue” injury. Meanwhile, Jalil Farooq has only played in one game this season and not since Week 1 against Temple.

Then, Saturday’s injury report will come out around 90 minutes before kickoff. That kickoff between Missouri and Oklahoma is currently scheduled for 7:45 p.m. EST.

On3’s Matt Connolly also contributed to this article.