Beau Pribula injury update: Eli Drinkwitz details recovery process for Missouri QB

Missouri quarterback Beau Pribula has missed back-to-back games after suffering a gnarly leg injury in the Tigers’ loss to Vanderbilt on Oct. 25. Head coach Eli Drinkwitz gave an update on Pribula’s status as the program heads into its final two regular season games against No. 11 Oklahoma and Arkansas.

“I know there were some questions about Beau Pribula,” Drinkwitz said. “Beau Pribula is currently working through his rehab process. With the oversight of the doctors and training staff, we’re going through a protocol. He has been allowed to practice with certain limitations, which is why he appeared on the SEC Availability Report last week and its why you saw him on Saturday in pre-game warmups. We will see how he progress this week, and you will be updated on the SEC Media Report.

“I think we’ll probably huddle as a group and make the call. The very first thing and the most important thing is making sure the student athlete’s health and well-being. Playing against an elite defense, you don’t want to put somebody out there who can’t compete at the highest level.

“In knowing how aggressive (the Oklahoma defense is), it would be to the betterment of our team and Beau to not put him out there if he’s not able to play up to his level. We’ll circle him first and make sure his mental process is where it needs to be, and that’s if he clears the protocol with several doctors and trainers.”

In eight games this season, Pribula completed 69.6% of his passes for 1,685 yards, 11 touchdowns and seven interceptions. He also rushed for 220 yards and five more scores on the ground. In games he started and completed, Missouri is 6-1 with its lone loss coming at the hands of No. 8 Alabama.

In his absence, true freshman Matt Zollers has started back-to-back games. Zollers, who entered the season as QB3 behind Pribula and Sam Horn, has played in six total games this season. Zollers has completed 53% of his passes for 402 yards, four touchdowns and just one interception. Missouri has gone more run-heavy with Ahmad Hardy in Pribula’s absence, but Zollers has still impressed, as he is still just a true freshman.

The Tigers currently sit at 7-3 (3-3) and must win their final two regular season games and their bowl game to clinch a third consecutive 10-win campaign for the first time in program history.