Missouri's offensive line has already taken a big hit, as head coach Eli Drinkwitz announced that tackle Josh Atkins suffered a leg injury that will keep him out into the fall. Atkins was a transfer from Arizona State, and the projected starter at right tackle this season.
"They'll be back at some point," Drinkwitz said regarding Atkins and Elias Williams, who also suffered an injury. "Probably not for the first of camp, but at some point in that September, October timeframe, we'll be able to get them back."
Drinkwitz stopped short of providing any more details of the exact injury or timeline, however.
"It just depends on how it all shakes out. I'll give you a better update in fall camp. He could miss some time, could not miss some time. Just depends on how quickly we can get that thing recovered."
Missouri may already have to pivot with a potentially serious injury to right tackle Josh Atkins
Atkins was the likely starter at right tackle for Mizzou this year, after starting for three seasons with Arizona State. But now with this injury, it seems like his availability for September is very much up in the air. Mississippi transfer Luke Work could be someone to keep an eye to slide into that role, depending on how much time Atkins ends up missing.
After losing All-American tackle Keagen Trost to the NFL Draft, the Tigers were hoping to fill the void with an experienced starter in Atkins. Atkins was a top-15 ranked tackle in the portal, and although had mostly played left tackle with the Sun Devils, figured to lineup across the way from Cayden Green at right tackle for Missouri.
Time will tell if Atkins will miss any games, but it's certianly not the start to spring ball that Drinkwitz and company had hoped for.