If Missouri hopes to maintain a spot inside the coaches’ poll overt the next couple of weeks, they’ll have to do so without the services of one of their top defensive playmakers.
Head coach Gary Pinkel confirmed Monday morning that defensive end Aldon Smith has a fractured fibula in his leg, which he suffered in the win over San Diego State Saturday.
As a result of the injury, Smith will definitely miss this Saturday’s game against Miami of Ohio. Missouri has a bye week after that, and Smith could possibly return for the conference opener Oct. 9 against Colorado.
“According to our medical staff, and I’ve had players play with this a lot,” Pinkel said, “its something that you can play with. So we’re going to go through the rehabilitation process right now.”
Smith set a school record in 2009 with 11 1/2 sacks, and currently leads the team this season with three.