Josiah Trotter, Brett Norfleet injury updates: Eli Drinkwitz reveals setbacks impacting bowl prep

Missouri will be shorthanded for their postseason matchup. Head coach Eli Drinkwitz announced Tuesday that tight end Brett Norfleet and linebacker Josiah Trotter will miss the Tigers’ appearance in the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl.

Drinkwitz confirmed Norfleet recently underwent shoulder surgery to address lingering issues from a separation he suffered earlier this season. The junior played through the injury down the stretch, but the decision was made to shut him down for the bowl game to ensure a full recovery. Drinkwitz said Norfleet is expected to be ready for spring camp.

Moreover, Norfleet was a key piece of Missouri’s offense in 2025, finishing second on the team with 31 receptions and fifth with 254 receiving yards. He led all Tigers with five receiving touchdowns, more than double any other player on the roster. 

While he missed only one game during the regular season, his production dipped late in the year. He caught just five passes for 30 yards over his final three appearances.

In Norfleet’s absence, Missouri is expected to rely more heavily on Jude James as a receiving tight end. Meanwhile, Jordon Harris will serve as the primary blocking option. James finished the season with six catches for 81 yards and two touchdowns and stepped up after Norfleet exited the Vanderbilt game, recording four receptions for 29 yards and a score.

Alas, the bowl absence marks another setback in a difficult stretch for Norfleet. He also dealt with a shoulder injury during the 2024 season. That injury required surgery and forced him to miss Missouri’s Music City Bowl appearance against Iowa.

More on Missouri Tigers, injuries ahead of Gator Bowl

Additionally, linebacker Trotter will also be sidelined after suffering a knee injury in Week 14 against Arkansas. Although the West Virginia transfer was able to play through the injury against the Razorbacks, the Missouri staff opted to hold him out of the bowl game.

Trotter emerged as a defensive cornerstone in his first season with the Tigers. All in all, he racked up 84 total tackles, including 43 solo stops. The redshirt sophomore also added two sacks and a pass breakup. He could declare for the 2026 NFL Draft.

Missouri will be hoping to finish their season strong against Virginia in the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl on Dec. 27 at 6:30 p.m. ET in Jacksonville. The appearance marks the Tigers’ sixth consecutive bowl bid. It’s the second-longest streak in program history behind a seven-year run from 2005–11.