Missouri coach Eli Drinkwitz provided an updated injury and availability report Tuesday during his press conference with the media, confirming that the Tigers will be without two starters. At the same time, the status of another big name on the Tigers' roster is uncertain.
Linebacker Josiah Trotter will miss the Gator Bowl after suffering a knee injury in Missouri’s 31–17 win over Arkansas to close the regular season. Drinkwitz said Trotter was able to finish the game but later required surgery.
“Josiah suffered a minor knee injury in the Arkansas game and was able to finish,” Drinkwitz said. “He had surgery and will be out. Obviously, that’s a significant injury for us.”
Brett Norfleet, the regular starter at the tight end position for the Tigers, will also miss the bowl game after undergoing surgery on a shoulder injury he sustained earlier in the season, occurring against Vanderbilt on Oct. 25.
"Obviously, those are two significant injuries for us," Drinkwitz said." Both really good players and really good people.”
Another huge question mark still looms for the Tigers
Defensive lineman Zion Young, who has been a key contributor for the Tigers all season long, was arrested on Saturday morning on suspicion of driving while intoxicated. Drinkwitz didn't provide a status of Young for the Tigers' bowl game and said the situation was being handled internally by the program.
“Disappointed with the actions of Zion Young and the decision-making that he had as a team captain and player,” Drinkwitz said. “We love Zion, and we’ll handle all discipline internally. Young men make mistakes, and it’s something we can all learn and grow from, but we’ve got to do a better job educating our guys not to put people in harm’s way.”
Despite the roster challenges, Drinkwitz emphasized the importance of the bowl game for Missouri’s program, particularly as the Tigers face a ranked opponent.
“There’s a lot of value in the bowl game for us as a program,” Drinkwitz said. “It’s an opportunity to finish with a ranked opponent, a really good opponent, and do something that’s never been done here before — finish with nine-plus wins.”
The Virginia Cavaliers (10-3, 7-1 ACC), being the ranked opponent of reference, will take on the Tigers (8-4, 4-4 SEC) on Dec. 27 at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Florida. The kickoff is set for 6:30 p.m. CT on ABC.