Aug. 15, 2011

Columbia, Mo. - The Missouri Tigers returned to the practice field Monday morning, after enjoying a day off on Sunday, and they worked out in full pads in cool conditions for a little over two hours in full pads.

The offense claimed a 3-2 win overall on the day, but it ended up being bittersweet in nature, as senior co-captain and starting LT Elvis Fisher was helped off the field with a knee injury. Following practice, Head Coach Gary Pinkel termed the injury as "...a very serious knee injury." Pinkel said that an exact prognosis won't be known until more observation is performed, so stay tuned to www.mutigers.com for updates on Fisher's health status.

With Fisher out, sophomore Justin Britt moved into his spot for much of the day for a line that was already short of a projected starter. Junior C Travis Ruth was out Monday after sustaining a strained Achilles' tendon late in Saturday's scrimmage - an injury which isn't considered serious in nature, but leaving Ruth's availability on a day-to-day basis. With Ruth out, senior Jayson Palmgren slid over from his normal left guard spot to make the snaps, while junior Jack Meiners took over at left guard.

Coach Pinkel was understandably concerned about Fisher after practice when he met with the media.

"(These kind of) things happen, I think we have five starters out now," he said. "I feel really bad for Elvis, there's a guy who's been a three-year starter and has never missed a game, never missed a play with an injury. He's worked so hard as a leader and a captain and all that stuff that goes with it. That's the toughest thing that you go through personally as a coach. The bottom line is, when I use the term `move `em over, move `em up' we're very caring and concerned about the player, but the bottom line is you have to play football and you have to win. Other guys have opportunities."

Other starters who missed Monday's workout included WR Jerrell Jackson (hamstring), SS Kenji Jackson (hamstring), and DE Brad Madison (shoulder). Each of those injuries is considered non-serious, but the status of their return isn't known just yet. Also sitting out drills today was DT Jimmy Burge (concussion), and TE Eric Waters (hamstring), while WR Wes Kemp (hip pointer) and TE Stephen Drain (knee) both practiced lightly.

Kemp fought through his injury and was able to take snaps in full contact periods, and even caught a touchdown pass late in the day from QB James Franklin in redzone 11-on-11 work. Other brief highlights from 11-on-11 work included a nice pass break up in the endzone by CB E.J. Gaines, a hard run up the middle by TB De'Vion Moore for points at the goal line, and a tackle for loss of Moore by DE Michael Same late in the day.

Pinkel said that in spite of the injury news, Monday was a good day overall.

"I thought it was a good practice," he said. "Every year, with this practice I always have it circled because it's a little tougher practice. The players had yesterday off, they get back to the grind, they have two practices today, so we as a staff always push them to get the leadership going. I think overall it was a good practice we did a lot of good things," Pinkel said.

The Tigers will return to the practice field this afternoon for their second practice of the day in what will be a lighter session heavy on the kicking game.

Stay tuned to www.mutigers.com for continuing coverage of pre-season camp.