Injuries plague Mizzou during first half against Middle Tennessee

After avoiding the injury bug for the first half of the season, Mizzou’s luck ran out in the first half of Saturday afternoon’s game against Middle Tennessee.

Already, five players have missed time, with three ruled out for the game.

A pair of important senior defenders, CB John Gibson and LB Michael Scherer, left the game with knee sprains:

Scherer and Gibson out the rest of the day. Multiple teammates and coaches walking up and hugging Scherer on the sideline

— Gabe DeArmond (@GabeDeArmond) October 22, 2016

Scherer’s injury sounds especially bad:

Mizzou let Michael Scherer's dad come down to sideline, hugging the LB behind the bench. Dad looks he's in tears. Not good.

— Dave Matter (@Dave_Matter) October 22, 2016

TE Jason Reese also will not return for the Tigers in the second half:

Missouri TE Jason Reese out for the game with rib injury.

— Dave Matter (@Dave_Matter) October 22, 2016

Junior RB Ish Witter took a devastating hit on a second-quarter run and appeared to lose consciousness:

Ish Witter with a great run and looks to be knocked out cold

— Dave Matter (@Dave_Matter) October 22, 2016

However, Witter returned to the game before the end of the half.

Another player who missed some time in the first half before returning was C Sam Bailey:

C Sam Bailey out now, too. He's been dealing with an ankle injury. Dubinski in at center. Two walk-ons playing on O-line

— Dave Matter (@Dave_Matter) October 22, 2016

With RG Alec Abeln ruled out before Saturday’s game, it was good to see Bailey able to return.

The Tigers have to hope everyone stays healthy in the second half or else they might not be able to field a full team against Kentucky next weekend.