Beau Pribula injury update: Early optimism Missouri QB can start vs. Oklahoma, per report

Missouri quarterback Beau Pribula reportedly escaped the worst-case scenario when he was injured against Vanderbilt on Oct. 25. Could he be in line to return this season?

That’s a topic of conversation that fired up in earnest on Saturday night when Pribula was spotted on the field before the game tossing a football lightly. He didn’t appear to be putting much weight on his ankle, but he didn’t seem bothered by it either.

On Sunday evening, CBS Sports’ Matt Zenitz reported that there’s “early optimism” that Beau Pribula could be in line to return to action with a start this weekend against Oklahoma. That would be about four weeks from the time of his injury.

Those early game warmups were certainly a positive sign. Though Pribula wasn’t doing a ton, he was able to stand on both feet and fire passes during a warm-up. That’s certainly a good sign. Check it out here.

Beau Pribula was initially listed as doubtful for the game against Mississippi State on Saturday. He was later ruled out.

The starting quarterback for the Tigers suffered a gruesome injury in the second half of a loss at Vanderbilt. He’s been out ever since.

Pribula’s legs were twisted under him on a tackle near the goal line. He immediately needed medical assistance, and he was ultimately carted off the field, then placed into a wheelchair.

“Beau Pribula has a non-fractured, dislocated ankle, which only occurs in about 1% of ankle injuries,” coach Eli Drinkwitz said on Oct. 29 on an SEC teleconference call. “It’s considered a taekwondo type injury. So his path to recovery is TBD, to be determined. We’re doing everything we can. There is no surgery and there is no broken bones, but there was a dislocation that had to be corrected.

“We’re working toward recovery then. Don’t know what his timeline for recovery would be.”

If he can get back in time for Oklahoma it would be a huge boost for Missouri. Beau Pribula has logged 1,685 passing yards and 11 touchdowns, against seven interceptions this season. He has also run for 220 yards and five touchdowns, totals that rank third and second on the team, respectively.

Suffice it to say, he’s a significant piece when healthy. Missouri is still fighting for its life when it comes to the College Football Playoff, but it will almost certainly have to remain perfect the rest of the way to even entertain a shot. Pribula’s return certainly wouldn’t hurt.