(This story is being updated as information is made available. )
Missouri basketball guard Caleb Grill was stretchered off of Norm Stewart Court during the first half of the Tigers' game against Lindenwood on Wednesday evening. He received treatment from Missouri trainers for almost 10 minutes before he was carried out of the arena.
On Thursday afternoon, a team spokesperson said in a statement that Grill suffered a neck injury during the contest, but was discharged from a local hospital after it was assessed that he does not have spinal cord injury.
According to the statement, there is no current timeline for his return.
During the game, the spokesperson told the Tribune that Grill sustained an injury to his head/neck. The spokesperson said the guard was taken to a local hospital out of caution but that he was responsive.
While challenging a rebound, Grill appeared to have his head pulled backward by Lindenwood forward Jaylon McDaniel, who was assessed a flagrant foul for the incident.
The replay on the SEC Network+ broadcast showed Grill immediately reaching back to hold the back of his neck as he fell to the hardwood. His head was pulled back while in the air, and he went to the ground almost immediately.
As Grill was being carried out of the arena by medical staff, he gave a thumbs up from the stretcher. Mizzou coach Dennis Gates spent multiple minutes beside Grill while he was down on the court, and provided an update on his status postgame.
"We're awaiting results of a CT scan," Gates said. "Whenever you have a head or neck injury, you want to be (cautious) and have some caution with that. And that's what that was all about: Making sure that he was OK. He was responsive, talking the entire time when I was down there in the huddle with him. He even rolled out with his thumb up. So, that was a good sign to see in that respect."
Missouri defeated Lindenwood 81-61 behind 18 points from point guard Tony Perkins and 17 points from Marques Warrick.
"Well, at the end of the day, our guys are veterans and they stuck together. They did exactly what I thought they would do. They rallied around. And obviously, once it started to take a little bit longer, that's when I got up, and our assistants and our staff were able to fill in for me," Gates said. "You know, no one likes to see their teammate go down. In fact, you know, we'll go over there and check on him and make sure everything's OK.
"But to my knowledge, he was responsive with us, leaving this arena with his thumbs up, rolling out. And again, (caution) is the area we're going to always take when you get an elbow in the back of the neck, head area. So, credit to our team, our EMS team. They did a great job, and I'm very thankful."
This article originally appeared on Columbia Daily Tribune: Missouri basketball's Caleb Grill out of hospital, doesn't have spinal cord injury
