Mizzou will open the season without one of its most important pieces up front.
Eli Drinkwitz said Saturday that offensive lineman Cayden Green will miss the Tigers’ Sept. 5 opener against Arkansas-Pine Bluff. Drinkwitz did not offer any specifics on the injury, saying only that he would not give a medical report. In Green’s place, Missouri is expected to lean on sophomore Jack Lange and junior Whit Hafer.
Drinkwitz said offensive tackle Cayden Green will miss the opener. Says he will not give a medical report. Jack Lange and/or Whit Hafer will fill in his spot against UAPB
- PowerMizzou (@PowerMizzoucom) August 29, 2026
Green has become a major part of Missouri’s offensive front and is regarded as one of the SEC’s top linemen. He earned All-SEC second-team honors after helping pave the way for star running back Ahmad Hardy in 2025, then followed that up by being named an All-SEC first-team selection for 2026.
Green’s path to Columbia started at Oklahoma before he transferred to Mizzou. He first settled in as the starting left guard in 2024, then moved to left tackle in 2025 and started 11 games there.
Missouri went 8-5 last season and finished 4-4 in SEC play. The Tigers opened 5-1, then faded down the stretch and went 3-4 in their final seven games.
That run ended with a loss to Virginia in the Gator Bowl on Dec. 27.
The Tigers also won’t have Hardy to start this season. He is still recovering from a gunshot wound he suffered in the offseason.
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