Brady Cook ‘absolutely’ expected to return from injury this season

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Mizzou head football coach Eli Drinkwitz addressed quarterback Brady Cook's recent string of injuries on Wednesday's SEC Football Coaches Teleconference, saying he "absolutely" expects him to return to the field for the 2024 season. However, no official timetable was given for Cook's recovery.

"Brady's been in here every day. He's getting treatment and absolutely expect him back this season," Drinkwitz said on the Week 10 SEC Football Coaches Teleconference. "Right now, I have no update that would tell me I don't expect him for today's practice."

Cook is nursing several injuries he has suffered over the last two games. Mizzou's starting quarterback was forced to make an early exit against Auburn in Week 8 with an ankle injury but did manage to return to the game in the final minutes of the third quarter. Cook's ankle injury made him a game-time decision for Week 9's trip to Alabama but did not keep him from starting the contest.

However, on the team's second possession in Tuscaloosa, Cook suffered an injury to his hand after hitting a defender's helmet while attempting to throw a pass, eventually forcing him to leave the contest late in the second quarter.

"Whole body, mentally, physically. Everything's just been beat up for the eight weeks of the season, so we're focused in on trying to treat the whole body and getting healthy, spirit, soul, mind, body, all of it," Drinkwitz said when asked about the team's primary injury concern for Cook.

The Southeastern Conference (SEC) will release MU's initial injury report on Wednesday, Nov. 6 around 7 p.m. for next Saturday's game against Oklahoma.