Aldon Smith out for Missouri
It has been reported that defensive end Aldon Smith will not be available for the Missouri Tigers in their next match versus Miami (OH) on Saturday.
Smith is said to have broken a non-weight bearing bone in his leg during the Tigers game against San Diego State over the weekend. The fact that the bone is non-weight bearing means that Smith should be back this season. The star is said to likely miss anywhere
from one to three games. Missouri’s head coach Gary Pinkel maintains that the injury is nothing major and knows players who have played through it in the past.
The Tigers will be keen to get the DE back in the line-up as he managed to rush for 11 ½ sacks last season, finishing tied for ninth in the NCAA. Moreover, the sophomore currently leads the team with three sacks already this year.
Mizzo should be able to handle the loss over the next three weeks as they see Miami (OH), Colorado and Texas A&M. However, they will need to have Smith back for the final portion of their schedule, which features match-ups with #8 Oklahoma, #6 Nebraska,
Texas Tech and Kansas State.
The Tigers have had a strong 2010 season thus far, getting wins against Illinois, NcNeese State and San Diego State. Currently sitting at 3-0 they are tied for first in the Big 12 North, but have yet to play a conference game. The Tigers will be looking
to make the most of the conference match-ups in the difficult Big 12, as wins against tough opponents such as Nebraska and Kansas State could do a great deal to help propel them into the Top 25.
With Smith out the Tigers will be leaning heavily on Michael Sam and Brad Madison to get sacks.
Note: The fibula is on the outside of the lower leg alongside the tibia, which is weight-bearing. The fibula's main purpose is for the attachment of tendons and ligaments. One can fracture it distally at the ankle (usually associated with a sprain), proximally
at the knee, or anywhere along the shaft.
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