Missouri took the field Tuesday as back-to-back defending SEC East champions and perhaps the least-heralded division champion in the power conferences.

The Tigers also released its first depth chart Tuesday as well.

  • It’s not a surprise, but RB Morgan Steward is still on the injury report for a hip problem he suffered in fall practice. Missouri initially described his status as day-to-day, and the team hopes he can return June 1. LG Brad McNulty, S Cortland Browning and DB Tavon Ross also are out due to injury.
  • Ross tore his ACL two weeks ago and may not be back in time for the fall. He’ll have surgery next Thursday.
  • The first-team offensive line initially looks like this: LT Taylor Chappell, LG Mitch Hall, C Evan Boehm, RG Connor McGovern, RT Clay Rhodes. When McNulty gets healthy, he should take over at left guard. And it will be a surprise if either Malik Cuellar, an early enrollee, or Tyler Howell, both junior college transfers, don’t start, probably at left tackle with Cappell moving back to right tackle.
  • The team lists Josh Augusta at 6-foot-4 and 345 pounds(!). Can you say nose guard? He’s your man if Barry Odom implements some 3-4.
  • Sophomore Anthony Sherrils gets a major opportunity as the starting strong safety with Browning recovering from injury. He made an impression before last season. Can he make it hard for the team to push him to the bench when Browning returns?
  • Senior K Andrew Baggett currently is the team’s starting punter as well.

Some other notes from Twitter: