Brett Norfleet injury update: Missouri TE's status revealed vs. Mississippi State

Missouri tight end Brett Norfleet didn’t play in the Tigers’ 38-17 loss to Texas A&M this past weekend due to a shoulder injury. On Friday, ESPN’s Pete Thamel reported that Norfleet is cleared to play against Mississippi State on Saturday.

Brett Norfleet initially suffered his shoulder injury in Missouri’s 17-10 loss to Vanderbilt in Week 9. Norfleet boasts 26 catches for 224 yards and a team-high five touchdowns this season. Missouri’s could’ve used his talents in its loss to Texas A&M.

True freshman quarterback Matt Zollers started in the loss. He completed just 7-of-his-22 pass attempts for 77 yards. He didn’t throw any touchdowns or interceptions.

Zollers started in place of QB Beau Pribula, who suffered a dislocated ankle in the team’s loss to Vanderbilt. Missouri head coach Eli Drinkwitz said Pribula’s injury wouldn’t require surgery. Pribula was listed as doubtful to play against Mississippi State on Missouri’s Thursday availability report.

Pribula transferred to Missouri from Penn State ahead of the 2025 campaign. Before dislocating his ankle, Pribula was having a standout season.

Pribula has completed 69.6% of his pass attempts for 1,685 yards and 11 touchdowns this season, compared to seven interception. Moreover, Pribula is significant rushing threat. He’s tallied 220 yards and five TDs in the ground game at Mizzou.

With its latest loss, Missouri is no longer in College Football Playoff contention. Nonetheless, Drinkwitz is insisting his team finishes the season strong.

“I talked about this at SEC Media Days, we gotta get out of this ‘Oh man, it’s playoffs or bust,’” Drinkwitz said. “Yes, again, we’re shooting for the moon, we’re going to put our whole self into that, but only 12 teams make the Playoffs and we put ourselves in position in November to be there. Didn’t get it done, I got that. But if the season only counts for 12 football teams, and we got a 127 D1 football teams, that math’s not gonna math very well.

“Football is more than just the Playoff potential, and again, we were there, we didn’t get it done. But there’s a whole heck of a lot to be proud of, there’s a whole heck of a lot to play for.”

The Tigers won’t have to wait much longer to get back on the field. On Saturday, Missouri will look to bounce back as it squares off against Mississippi State at 6:45 p.m. CT. The game will air live on the SEC Network.