Beau Pribula Update: Eli Drinkwitz Learns Return Timeline for Injured Missouri QB

For the Tigers’ faithful, ‘heartbreaking’ doesn’t even describe the feeling that overcame them on Saturday. The game was just one yard away from being tied. But missed shortly, giving way to another set of pains. Throw in the injury of QB1 Beau Pribula, and the Mizzou faithful’s weekend plans went all spoiled. However, an injury update might cheer them again for the remaining Sunday afternoon.

On Saturday, Pribula rushed for a 2-yard line touchdown; a quick QB sneak past Mizzou’s defensive wall on the fourth-and-goal, but dislocated his ankle on the way, eventually being carted off the field. His ankle “had to be popped back in”, but did he return to the field? True freshman Matt Zollers replaced him for the remaining game. It was expected that his ankle dislocation might keep him away from the field for the rest of the regular season…

But on Sunday, Zenitz shared an update on X. “Further testing revealed a bad sprain and ligament damage, but no surgery necessary and there’s maybe even an outside chance he could return during the regular season, sources tell @CBSSports.”Even HC added more in a positive light.

After he took the hit, Eli Drinkwitz shared that “Beau has no broken bones.” Connor Tollison let out, “You don’t deserve this, you shouldn’t be in this situation.”There wasn’t any ‘timetable’ for his return. After the Zenitz’s new intel, again, there’s no fixed day by which he would be back. But there’s still hope that he might lace up his cleats back on the turf before the regular season wraps up.

With the game tied up 3-3, Pribula pushed for a touchdown but dislocated his ankle in the process. He left the field without reaching the endzone, with 9-of-14 attempts for 68 yards and another 10 rushing yards on four carries. Zollers was ready to lead.

“Whatever you need me to do, let me know. Do your thing, I’m here for you the whole way,” pumped up with encouragement, he stepped in and threw a touchdown pass to Jude James for six yards and tied the game at 12:49 on the clock. With six seconds left on the clock, Zollers threw a wild Hail Mary towards Kevin Coleman Jr, but fell one yard short, and the Tigers’ fandom clutched their hair. He completed 14-of-23 attempts for 138 yards and another four yards on four carries.

Eli Drinkwitz on Beau Pribula’s injury

Beau Pribula’s injury was an upsetting turn over the weekend in Nashville. And Mizzou felt the impact. “He’s a guy that’s been such a playmaker for them, and outside of defending him was so much fun to watch on film,” Lea said. “And so we just hope for the best, prognosis, and speedy recovery.” With Pribula’s injury and the second loss of the season, Missouri’s conference championship run seems unlikely.

“We’re probably not playing for the conference championship now with two losses,” Drinkwitz said post-game. He didn’t sugarcoat; his disappointment was soaked in his every word. But the possibility of a playoff berth cheered his spirits. He continued. “But we’re darn sure playing for the playoffs. … We’ve already accomplished one of our goals, which was to qualify for a bowl game. And so now it’s free football to see what kind of opportunity we have next.”

Moving on, the Tigers have Texas A&M, Mississippi State, Oklahoma, and Arkansas on their slate.