Beau Pribula injury update: Will Missouri’s QB play at Oklahoma after ankle dislocation?

Missouri quarterback Beau Pribula has been listed as doubtful on the SEC’s first Wednesday availability report ahead of the Tigers’ road game at Oklahoma. The designation means the starting QB is more likely to miss the matchup than to play, but he has not been officially ruled out. His status remains one of the biggest storylines going into Saturday’s showdown in Norman.

Pribula is recovering from a non-fractured dislocated left ankle suffered against Vanderbilt on October 25. Missouri has treated his return with caution, yet recent signs, including limited work in warmups and continued practice activity, suggest he is ahead of the early expectations for his recovery. Freshman backup Matt Zollers is preparing as the likely starter if Pribula cannot go.

Beau Pribula injury update on SEC report and what “doubtful” really means

The SEC-mandated availability report released Wednesday night listed Beau Pribula as doubtful for Missouri’s Week 12 trip to No. 8 Oklahoma. In the league’s hierarchy of designations, doubtful sits just above “out,” and indicates a player is more likely not to play than to suit up. It is not, however, an automatic ruling out, which leaves a small window for a late change in status.

Pribula’s injury occurred in the second half of Missouri’s October 25 loss at Vanderbilt, when he dislocated his left ankle on a fourth-and-goal keeper near the goal line. Initial updates from Missouri and national outlets confirmed there was no fracture, but the ankle had to be reset and his timetable was described as “it could be a while,” with early projections suggesting he could miss the remainder of the regular season. He has already sat out Missouri’s last two games against Texas A&M and Mississippi State while rehabbing.

Despite that, the senior has shown progress in recent days. He appeared on the field during early warmups before the Mississippi State game, going through non-contact drills without visible support on the injured ankle and without obvious restriction in his movement. Missouri head coach Eli Drinkwitz has also acknowledged that Pribula has been allowed to practice with limitations, which explains why his name continues to show up on the SEC reports rather than being automatically listed as out.

As of Wednesday, Missouri’s full availability report also included defensive end Langden Kitchen as probable and wide receiver and punt returner DaMarion Fowlkes as questionable. Quarterback Sam Horn and kicker Blake Craig remain listed as out for the season, consistent with updates from earlier in the year. On the Oklahoma side, star edge rusher R Mason Thomas and cornerback Gentry Williams opened the week as questionable, while offensive linemen Troy Everett, Jacob Sexton, and Jake Taylor are ruled out.

How Beau Pribula’s status shapes Missouri’s trip to Oklahoma

If Beau Pribula cannot play, Matt Zollers will be in line for his third college start. The freshman has already been thrust into a pressure role, replacing Pribula at Vanderbilt, then starting against Texas A&M and Mississippi State. He has shown poise and production in limited action, giving Missouri enough stability to keep its season on track while the veteran starter recovers.

Drinkwitz has been clear that the first priority is the quarterback’s long-term health, especially facing an aggressive Oklahoma defense. The Sooners’ front will test Missouri’s protection and mobility at the position, and the staff does not want to put Pribula on the field if he cannot move and protect himself at his usual level. That context helps explain why the staff continues to publicly prepare as if Zollers will start, even while leaving the door slightly open for Pribula.

Before the injury, Pribula had been central to Missouri’s strong start, combining his passing and rushing ability to keep the offense balanced. Reports earlier in the year noted that he topped 1,600 passing yards with double-digit touchdown passes, plus meaningful production on the ground, giving the Tigers one of the more dynamic backfields in the conference. Losing that dual-threat element naturally shifts how defenses play Missouri and how the Tigers call plays, especially in high-leverage downs.

Saturday’s game at Oklahoma is scheduled for an 11 a.m. local kickoff and marks Missouri’s penultimate regular-season contest and first trip to Norman since 2011. With the Tigers still chasing a strong finish and the Sooners eyeing postseason positioning, quarterback health is a decisive storyline. Whether Pribula can make a surprise return, or Zollers continues his run as the starter, will shape how Missouri approaches its offensive game plan.

For now, the Beau Pribula injury update is simple but significant: he is listed as doubtful, trending ahead of the early long-term fears, yet still unlikely to play against Oklahoma unless he clears a high internal threshold. Missouri will monitor him through the week, with the final SEC availability report 90 minutes before kickoff providing the last word on his status.

FYI (keeping you in the loop)-

Q1: Is Beau Pribula expected to play against Oklahoma?

As of the Wednesday SEC availability report, Beau Pribula is listed as doubtful for Missouri’s game at Oklahoma. That means he is more likely to sit than to play. A final decision will come on game day.

Q2: What injury did Beau Pribula suffer vs Vanderbilt?

Pribula suffered a non-fractured dislocated left ankle during Missouri’s October 25 game at Vanderbilt. The ankle was reset, and there were no broken bones reported, but recovery is typically several weeks.

Q3: Who will start at quarterback for Missouri if Beau Pribula is out?

If Pribula cannot go, freshman Matt Zollers is expected to make his third start. Zollers has already started the last two games while Pribula recovers.

Q4: Why is the SEC availability report important for Missouri’s QB situation?

The availability report is the conference’s official record of who is available, questionable, doubtful, or out. It offers the clearest public indication of Pribula’s status each day before the game.

Q5: When will Missouri give the final Beau Pribula injury update?

Missouri and Oklahoma must release updated availability reports on Thursday and Friday night. The final report will be published about 90 minutes before kickoff on Saturday.