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Texas A&M, Missouri Face Major Injury Questions Ahead Of SEC Showdown
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- Texas A&M, Missouri Face Major Injury Questions Ahead Of SEC Showdown
(Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images)
Texas A&M and No. 14 Missouri enter Saturday's critical SEC football showdown facing injury questions that could significantly influence the outcome.
The Aggies (3-2, 1-2 SEC) have a shorter availability list, but the potential absence of wide receiver Mario Craver could leave quarterback Marcel Reed without one of his most important offensive weapons.
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MORE: How to Watch Texas A&M vs. Missouri: Aggies Face Critical Road Test vs. Tigers
Missouri (4-1, 1-1 SEC), meanwhile, has considerably more uncertainty, particularly along its offensive line and throughout its defense.
Mario Craver Remains Texas A&M's Biggest Concern
Craver, who has battled an ankle injury since the LSU game, was listed as questionable on the latest independently verified SEC availability report.
The junior receiver has 23 receptions for 235 yards and two touchdowns this season, making his availability particularly important against Missouri.
Craver played just 14 snaps against Arkansas, and the Aggies may again need to rely more heavily on Isaiah Horton, Aaron Gregory and TK Norman if he can't handle a full workload.
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Texas A&M will also be without offensive lineman Blake Ivy and wide receiver Terry Bussey.
Bussey is expected to miss the remainder of the season, while Ivy's absence comes as the Aggies continue adjusting their offensive line.
Trovon Baugh has moved to left guard, with Wilkin Formby working at right guard and Lamont Rogers at left tackle.
That combination helped Texas A&M rush for 231 yards in last weekend's 34-7 victory over Arkansas.
Missouri Faces Bigger Personnel Questions
Missouri's injury concerns are more extensive.
Starting left tackle Cayden Green, recently recognized as the Outland Trophy National Player of the Week, is questionable.
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His potential absence would be significant against a Texas A&M defense looking to generate more pressure on opposing quarterbacks.
The Tigers also have uncertainty at defensive end, with Langden Kitchen and Darris Smith questionable after missing last week's win over Florida.
Linebacker Robert Woodyard Jr., safeties Santana Banner and Kensley Louidor-Faustin, and receiver DaMarion Fowlkes are also questionable.
Missouri will be without former All-American running back Ahmad Hardy, although Jamal Roberts has helped offset that loss.
Roberts rushed for 211 yards and three touchdowns during Missouri's 45-17 victory over Florida.
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The Tigers are also missing offensive lineman Josh Atkins, tight end Gavin Hoffman, safety JaDon Blair and running back Malae Fonoti.
There is encouraging news for Missouri, however, with tight end Brett Norfleet, cornerback Jahlil Florence, defensive end Jaden Jones and linebacker Bobby Washington Jr. listed as probable.
Injuries Could Determine Saturday's Winner
For Texas A&M, the biggest concern is whether Reed has enough healthy playmakers to challenge Missouri's defense.
For the Tigers, protecting quarterback Austin Simmons and maintaining defensive depth could become increasingly difficult if several questionable starters are unavailable.
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Missouri enters the game favored, but its injury situation creates opportunities for Mike Elko's Aggies to exploit.
MORE: Texas A&M Faces Critical SEC Test Against No. 14 Missouri
The final pregame availability report will be particularly important for both teams.
Kickoff is scheduled for 11 a.m. CT Saturday at Memorial Stadium in Columbia, with national television coverage on ABC.
Texas A&M
| Player |
Position |
Status |
|---|---|---|
| Mario Craver |
WR |
Questionable |
| Blake Ivy |
OL |
Out |
| Terry Bussey |
WR |
Out |
No. 14 Missouri
| Player |
Position |
Status |
|---|---|---|
| Cayden Green |
OL |
Questionable |
| Robert Woodyard Jr. |
LB |
Questionable |
| Kensley Louidor-Faustin |
S |
Questionable |
| Santana Banner |
S |
Questionable |
| Langden Kitchen |
EDGE |
Questionable |
| Darris Smith |
EDGE |
Questionable |
| DaMarion Fowlkes |
WR |
Questionable |
| Brett Norfleet |
TE |
Probable |
| Jahlil Florence |
CB |
Probable |
| Jaden Jones |
EDGE |
Probable |
| Bobby Washington Jr. |
LB |
Probable |
| Ahmad Hardy |
RB |
Out |
| Malae Fonoti |
RB |
Out |
| Josh Atkins |
OL |
Out |
| Gavin Hoffman |
TE |
Out |
| JaDon Blair |
S |
Out |
