HOOVER, Ala. -- Missouri coach Gary Pinkel confirmed Wednesday at SEC media days that star defensive lineman Harold Brantley will miss the upcoming season.
Brantley, the team's leading returner in sacks, suffered several rib fractures, a broken tibia and ligament damage in his knee after he was involved in a car crash last month.
"I saw him Monday," Pinkel said. "He's doing better. The good news is he didn't have any back or spinal problems. We could be talking about a whole different type of problem with that. Everything can be repaired that's happened to him.
"Obviously, emotionally it's been very difficult for him. You can kind of go through ups and downs. He had a phenomenal spring, expected to be one of the best defensive players in the league and also one of the best in the nation.
"The good news is he will be. It's just going to be a year delayed."
Missouri cornerback Kenya Dennis said Brantley is motivated and eager to get out of his wheelchair. Dennis is just one of the many players who have been over to see their injured teammate during his recovery.
"We're a very close football team," Pinkel said. "We're going to help our guys, reach down, pick them up and help them."
With Brantley out for the season, Pinkel mentioned players such as Josh Augusta, Rickey Hatley and A.J. Logan as some who could step up in Brantley's place. The Missouri coach also raved about the incoming group of freshman defensive linemen, which includes five-star Terry Beckner Jr., one of the highest-ranked recruits ever to sign with the Tigers.