Columbia, Mo. — Missouri football’s depth took a serious hit this week as head coach Eli Drinkwitz confirmed significant injuries to two key contributors: redshirt junior quarterback Sam Horn and redshirt sophomore kicker Blake Craig.
Horn’s Setback: A Lost Opportunity
Horn’s season was upended just moments after it began. On his first snap Thursday night, the quarterback gained six yards on a designed run before absorbing a hard hit to his lower right leg. He remained on the turf before being helped to the injury tent, and later to the locker room, where his leg was placed in a brace. Trainers supplied crutches, and Horn did not return to the sideline.
MRI results on Friday confirmed the worst: Horn will be sidelined for “an extended period of time,” Drinkwitz said during an appearance on SEC This Morning.
The injury marks another cruel twist in Horn’s college career. Once seen as a strong candidate to win the Tigers’ starting job, he entered this season battling graduate transfer Beau Pribula for the top spot. With only eight career pass attempts to date, Thursday was set to be Horn’s best chance to showcase his ability. Instead, the moment slipped away in an instant.
It’s also not Horn’s first major medical hurdle. A year ago, the two-sport athlete missed the entire football and baseball seasons after undergoing Tommy John surgery. He had only just returned to competition this past spring with the baseball program.
With Horn sidelined, Pribula is firmly in control of the offense, but his playing style could shift. Known as a mobile quarterback, he may now take fewer chances on designed runs, especially with true freshman Matt Zollers thrust into the backup role.
Craig’s Injury: A Special Teams Shake-Up
While Horn’s loss hurts the quarterback depth, Craig’s absence could prove even more consequential. The kicker suffered a leg injury attempting a tackle on the opening kickoff of the third quarter. Trainers assisted him off the field, and he did not return.
Craig’s MRI revealed a “significant” injury, according to Drinkwitz. A source told PowerMizzou he could miss at least eight weeks, leaving the Tigers scrambling for answers in the kicking game.
The timing couldn’t be worse. Craig had entered the season as one of the SEC’s most promising specialists, known for his big leg and consistency. He drilled field goals from 49 and 55 yards before exiting Thursday’s game, building on a 2023 season where he nailed six kicks of 50 yards or longer.
Now, the responsibility falls to freshman Robert Meyer, who stepped in against Central Arkansas and converted four extra points, and sophomore Oliver Robbins, a transfer from NAIA Florida Memorial. Neither has attempted a field goal at the FBS level, raising questions about Missouri’s reliability in clutch situations.
What’s Next for the Tigers
The twin injuries leave Missouri thin at two critical positions heading into the heart of the SEC schedule. Drinkwitz acknowledged the challenges but emphasized a next-man-up mentality.
“It’s tough to see those guys go down, especially with everything Sam has battled back from,” Drinkwitz said. “But we’ve got to rally and trust the guys who are ready to step in.”
For Horn, the wait to fulfill his potential grows longer. For Craig, the Tigers hope his recovery timeline puts him back on the field before the season’s final stretch.
Until then, Mizzou faces a daunting task: replacing two players whose absence could shape the course of its 2025 campaign.
