Mizzou linebacker Khalil Jacobs (29) celebrates after sacking Murray State quarterback Jayden Johannsen during the first quarter of the Tigers鈥 season opener on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024 at Memorial Stadium in Columbia, Mo.
COLUMBIA, Mo. 鈥 Missouri linebacker Khalil Jacobs and defensive end Joe Moore III will both miss the rest of the 2024 season with injuries, coach Eli Drinkwitz said Tuesday.
The losses of two established rotational defensive players will further test the Tigers鈥 depth on that side of the ball.
Jacobs, who transferred in over the offseason from South Alabama on the heels of the hiring of defensive coordinator Corey Batoon from that school, has played 139 defensive snaps so far this season, appearing in every game.
Jacobs鈥 athleticism made him a natural fit in Mizzou鈥檚 third-down packages. As a blitzer, he registered two sacks and five total pressures on opposing quarterbacks.
On the depth chart, Jacobs fell behind Triston Newson at the outside linebacker position. Newson missed MU鈥檚 last game with an injury but is expected to return for Saturday鈥檚 game against Auburn, Drinkwitz said.
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Newson鈥檚 absence and Jacobs leaving the Tigers鈥 game at Massachusetts in the third quarter gave freshman Nicholas Rodriguez an expanded role. Rodriguez and second-year linebacker Brayshawn Littlejohn are among those most likely to see more action.
With Newson wearing a non-contact jersey at Tuesday鈥檚 practice, Rodriguez took some reps with the MU starters.
Wide receiver Luther Burden III, who left Saturday鈥檚 game with a shoulder injury, was also wearing a non-contact jersey at practice but is expected to play this weekend.
Moore had played 74 snaps this season before his injury, which kept him out of the UMass game. In the 鈥渏oker鈥 defensive end role behind starter Johnny Walker Jr., he鈥檇 produced six pressures this season.
Five-star freshman Williams Nwaneri saw more action with Moore out against the Minutemen and may wind up burning his redshirt if needed to continue filling in there. Second-year defensive end Jahkai Lang is also a candidate for added snaps.
But at Tuesday鈥檚 practice, Nwaneri was wearing the usual practice garb of scout team players 鈥 who are often redshirting or not appearing in games 鈥 which may be an indication that he鈥檚 not in line for an immediate promotion and Lang will instead get the nod.
Moore鈥檚 injury further depletes Missouri鈥檚 depth at defensive end 鈥 the Tigers lost Georgia transfer Darris Smith to a season-ending injury during preseason camp.
