Missouri may have lost the heart and soul of its team last week when LB Cale Garrett suffered a torn pectoral tendon injury that is likely season ending. He’s already had surgery to repair it.

Garrett leads the Tigers with 43 tackles, which is tied for second in the SEC, and also has a team-high three interceptions, as a key player on the defense.

“He’s built our program,” coach Barry Odom said Tuesday during his regular weekly press conference. “He’s going to play ball for a long time.”

Odom added that Garrett was on track to be an All-American, and that he would sit down with Garrett’s family and see if they want to pursue a medical redshirt, and it would be a long shot, but “it’s worth a shot.”

Garrett, in his fourth year at Missouri, is coming off an All-SEC (Pro Football Focus) 2018 season, and had defensive scores in three games already. Against Troy last week, Garrett had two interceptions (including a pick-six), six total tackles (3 TFL) and two quarterback hurries.

In Garrett’s absence, Odom said he expects Ole Miss to attack that area of the field. The game in Columbia is set to kick off at 6 p.m. local time on ESPN2. Missouri has won five straight in the series, but the teams haven’t met since 2013.