Star offensive lineman Green not spotted at Friday football practice
Missouri held its 10th practice of fall camp Friday. Returning starting left tackle Cayden Green was not seen practicing during the parts of the session open to the media.
Missouri offensive lineman Cayden Green (70) battles against Vanderbilt defensive lineman Miles Capers (29) during a game against Vanderbilt on Oct. 25, 2025, at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville, Tenn. In parts of practice open to the media Friday, Green was not present.
Cayden Green
Starting left tackle Cayden Green was conspicuously absent during the portion of Friday's Mizzou football practice open to the media.
Green was absent during stretches, positional drills and plenty of special teams work. Sophomore Jack Lange was in Green's place at the left tackle spot during the tempo period. Friday's practice was the 10th of fall camp.
Lange taking Green's spot for at least part of practice could indicate coaches see Lange as a utility option who can provide depth at both left and right tackle. Mississippi State transfer Luke Work and senior Logan Reichert continue to be the top two competitors for the starting right-tackle spot.
In addition to Green, two other players were not spotted during the parts of practice open to the media: tight end Gavin Hoffman and defensive tackle Donta Simpson.
Hoffman also was absent from Wednesday’s practice, while Simpson has been a limited participant since camp started. Hoffman — a 6-foot-5, 245-pound junior — could develop into another receiving and blocking weapon. The Iowa transfer appeared in just two games last season.
Coach Eli Drinkwitz could provide further details on the absences Saturday, when he’s scheduled to speak to media members for the first time since the beginning of fall camp. Saturday also is the date Drinkwitz set for a possible update on running back Ahmad Hardy, who has been limited to walk-throughs and rehab work while he recovers from a gunshot wound he sustained in May.
The media Friday was able to get a good look at some special teams drills, including kicker Blake Craig making field goals from 30, 34, 38 and 41 yards.
Craig and the special teams unit practiced onside kicks. The return team for those included wide receivers Donovan Olugbode and Caleb Goodie, tight ends Jude James and Brett Norfleet and running back Malae Fonoti. On one recovery, Goodie leaped up to make an impressive catch near the sideline.
On each of the kicks, Craig made the ball bounce a few times while keeping it inbounds.
The last thing the media saw was some return coverage, which offered another glimpse into the potential returners. The five wide receivers used were Naeshaun Montgomery, Goodie, DaMarion Fowlkes, Shaun Terry and Olugbode. Freshman running back Preston Hatfield also got some reps.