Is Brady Cook playing today vs South Carolina? Missouri quarterback status explored

Quarterback Brady Cook and the No. 24-ranked Missouri Tigers are set to play the No. 23-ranked South Carolina Gamecocks on Saturday at 4:15 p.m. ET. However, the status of Cook is in question as the game approaches. He suffered an injury in Missouri's 34-0 loss to No. 9-ranked Alabama on October 26th. As a result, he was not available to play in the team's 30-23 win over Oklahoma last Saturday.

Heading into the matchup, Cook is listed as doubtful on Missouri's injury report. So, it is unlikely that he will play against South Carolina on Saturday.

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Is Brady Cook playing today?

Brady Cook missed Saturday's game against Oklahoma and is expected to miss his second straight game due to an injury suffered against Alabama. Although Cook has had extra time to recover, thanks to an open week after the Alabama game, he is not fully healthy yet.

Per CFB insider Pete Thamel on Saturday, he is a game-time decision. He will try his level best to get back on field after warmups for the South Carolina matchup, but it depends on how he feels at that moment. Most probably, its a big No.

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What happened to Brady Cook?

Cook has dealt with two separate injuries this season that have impacted his availability and play. He first suffered an ankle injury in a 21-17 win over Auburn on October 19. The injury forced him to miss time in the game, but the Tigers were able to come out with a win. It was later revealed that he had a high ankle sprain.

The sprain did not keep Cook out of the next game against Alabama. He started the game and appeared to be healthy, but he was taken out of the game after suffering an injury to his throwing hand and did not return to the game.

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When will Brady Cook return?

It is unclear when Cook will return, but it does not seem likely that he will be available against South Carolina. He will be evaluated on a week-to-week basis by the medical team.

If Cook can't play, Drew Pyne will start. It would be Pyne's second straight start and fifth straight appearance. Although he struggled in his first few appearances, he performed well against Oklahoma, completing three touchdowns in the second half.