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Sam Horn, Blake Craig injury updates: Eli Drinkwitz reveals severity, potential for return

IMG_0985by: Griffin McVeigh09/03/25griffin_mcveigh
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© Denny Medley-Imagn Images

Before getting into the Kansas game, Missouri head coach Eli Drinkwitz delivered tough news on a couple of injuries. He began with quarterback Sam Horn, who left the season opener against Central Arkansas. Horn will miss an “extended period” but Drinkwitz did not reveal the exact issue.

“Sam has an injury that’s going to keep him out for an extended period of time,” Drinkwitz said. “I’m not going to get into specifics but he will be out. Don’t know how long yet but he will miss an extended period of time.”

Horn spent the past few months battling for the starting quarterback role with Beau Pribula. Drinkwitz planned on playing both guys, likely choosing one afterward entering Kansas week. Unfortunately, the decision has now been made for him.

Missouri sent Horn out there in the first quarter, dialing up a run play for him. Taking a hit from a defender, the quarterback stayed down on the ground. Not too long later, Horn was back in the locker room and ruled out for the rest of the game.

Drinkwitz then provided an update on another important position for the Tigers — kicker. Blake Craig is going to miss the remainder of the 2025 season after a torn ACL. While it may not exactly the same kind of headline news as losing a quarterback, still a big loss for Mizzou.

“Blake tore his ACL,” Drinkwitz said. “He had repair surgery this morning. There was a slight hope it wasn’t as bad but he has a full tear. Repaired this morning, on his way to recovery but he will miss the remainder of the season.”

Craig has been a reliable kicker for Missouri the past two years. Five kicks were made in the Central Arkansas game alone. Three PATs and two field goals, totalling nine points. A make percentage of 70.6% from field goals in 2024 was thought to be something he could improve on moving forward. Instead, rehab is in Craig’s future to get back from the torn ACL.

Injuries are certainly not something any head coach wants to be discussing during a press conference. Especially when such a special rivalry is on deck. Missouri has not faced Kansas since 2011, when the Tigers left the Big 12 in favor of the SEC. A lot will be on the line for both programs Saturday afternoon, scheduled for a 2:30 p.m. kickoff inside Faurot Field.