Drinkwitz says injured offensive tackle Josh Atkins will be out longer than expected

At SEC Media Days on Monday, football coach Eli Drinkwitz revealed that Missouri will be without one its most experienced offensive linemen, Arizona State transfer Josh Atkins, for longer than expected.

After suffering a leg injury during spring practices, Atkins suffered a setback in June that will keep him sidelined longer, Drinkwitz revealed when speaking to local reporters.

In March, Drinkwitz stated the initial expectation was for Atkins to be able to return in September or October.

“He’s still attacking it (rehab),” Drinkwitz said of Atkins in Tampa, Florida. “But it’s not going to be as hopeful that we had that he might be able to be back midseason. So we’ll see how that goes.”

Atkins has started in 39 games over the last three seasons, including the last two at Arizona State and the one before at Hawaii. He was projected to start for the Tigers at right tackle, protecting the blindside of left-handed quarterback Austin Simmons.

With Atkins set to miss what could be a large amount of time, the competition for an interim starting right tackle becomes one of the biggest questions the Tigers will try to answer at fall camp.

So far, Drinkwitz has been impressed with several of the top candidates.

In the spring, when Atkins first was injured, Drinkwitz specifically named redshirt junior Logan Reichert and Mississippi State transfer Luke Work as two of the top options. Work, a junior, started in eight games over the last two seasons at Mississippi State. Three of those starts were at right tackle, with the other five coming at left tackle.

“I think Luke Work has had as good an offseason as I’ve ever seen an offensive lineman have,” Drinkwitz said.

Reichert, a Kansas City product, was a three-star prospect out of Raytown High School, but he has had limited opportunities throughout his career. The opening at right tackle could be Reichert’s path to playing time.

Redshirt freshman Jack Lange, who was rated as the top prospect in the state of Missouri in the class of 2025, could also end up in the mix at right tackle.

Overall, Drinkwitz has been pleased with the offensive line group as a whole during the offseason.

“I’ve been around a lot of football, and several years now as the head coach here — I’ve never seen an offensive line work as hard as our offensive line works right now,” Drinkwitz said.

Craig fully cleared

After suffering a season-ending injury to the anterior cruciate ligament in his planting leg in Week 1 of the 2025 season, junior kicker Blake Craig is now fully recovered, Drinkwitz said. Mizzou faced multiple special-teams blips with Craig not able to play, making his return extremely important.

“More importantly, it was good to get Blake Craig back,” Drinkwitz said.

As a freshman in 2024, Craig made 24 field goals in 34 attempts, missing only two from the 20 to 29-yard range and 50 yards and beyond. He went 1 for 7 between 20 and 29 yards and missed only one extra point on 37 attempts.

With Craig sidelined last season, freshman Robert Meyer stepped in. He struggled on various occasions, leaving multiple points on the board. Having Craig back should change that issue.

Drinkwitz dipped into the transfer portal to add some depth to the special teams room if another injury were to occur, along with adding some competition. He added Florida State kicker and punter Brunno Reus, who will aid in both roles. Oliver Robbins is also available in the room.

Mizzou added Tennessee State punter Mark Shenouda alongside John Butcher. It’s not clear which of them, along with Reus, will have a claim at the starting spot. The Tigers will have options.

Senior Brett Le Blanc will also likely serve as the starting long snapper. Those pieces with Craig fully healthy should make for a more consistent special teams group compared to last season.