Eli Drinkwitz shares injury updates on Beau Pribula, Brett Norfleet

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Mizzou quarterback Beau Pribula and tight end Brett Norfleet's timelines to return remain unclear.

On Wednesday, MU head coach Eli Drinkwitz provided the latest information on Pribula and Norfleet's statuses during the weekly SEC Football Coaches Teleconference, following their respective injuries in the team's seven-point loss to Vanderbilt.

Pribula exited Saturday's game after being tackled on a fourth-down run in the third quarter. He was taken to the locker room in a wheelchair with an air cast on his leg. Then, the Penn State transfer returned to the sideline on crutches near the end of the event.

Norfleet also left the contest with an injury and was spotted on the field during postgame handshakes wearing a sling.

"Beau Pribula, our starting quarterback, had a non-fracture dislocated ankle, which only occurs in about 1% of ankle injuries," Drinkwitz said. "His path to recovery is to be determined, so we're doing everything we can. There is no surgery and there is no broken bones, but there was a dislocation that had to be corrected. I don't know what the timetable for his return would be."

"Brett Norfleet is considered day-to-day after a separated shoulder in the game, and we are working to strengthen that shoulder. His progress will be updated on the SEC injury report," Drinkwitz said.

While Pribula recovers from his ankle injury, true freshman quarterback Matt Zollers will serve as the team's starter moving forward. In Pribula's absence, the Pennsylvania native completed 14-of-23 throws for a game-best 138 passing yards and one touchdown against the Commodores. Despite injuries to Pribula and backup quarterback Sam Horn on rushing plays this season, Mizzou will not be limiting Zollers' ability to run the football against future opponents.

"There is a lot of people who run their quarterback and injuries happen. They're kind of an unfortunate part of the game, but we're going to have to do to win," Drinkwitz said. "Whatever we have to do to win is what we're going to do, and we're not going to put any limitations because of fear on our team. We don't operate in a fear mode. We operate in an aggression mode."

The Tigers will continue capitalizing on their second bye week ahead of preparation for No. 3 Texas A&M on Saturday, Nov. 8 at 2:30 p.m. on KMIZ.