Missouri Tigers head coach Eli Drinkwitz left some room for interpetation Tuesday regarding quarterback Brady Cook's current status. Cook exited the game Week 8 against Auburn after suffering an ankle injury on the first drive.

2. Alabama has the all-time series lead over Mizzou. The Crimson Tide are 5-2 against the Tigers. Alabama has yet to lose to the Tigers since MU joined the SEC (four contests), and the Tigers’ last win over the Tide was in 1975. Additionally, the Tide have only lost at home four times in the past 10 seasons.

James Cook didn't leave with an injury against the Texans but suffered a foot/toe injury and has not practiced.

Brady Cook returned from an injury to lead No. 19 Missouri to two fourth-quarter touchdowns, including the go-ahead run by Jamal Roberts with 46 seconds to go, as the Tigers rallied for a 21-17 victory over Auburn.

Here’s when Missouri football players and coaches realized Brady Cook was returning against Auburn, and how they reacted to the QB's comeback.

Here is Missouri football’s first availability report ahead of Alabama, with designations for quarterback Brady Cook, running back Nate Noel and more:

Missouri football will likely be without quarterback Brady Cook against Alabama this weekend, but there's a catch.

It’s not ideal when your starting running back is ruled out prior to huge road game with CFP implications against a desperate Alabama team, but that’s the situation Mizzou has been dealt. Nate Noel, Missouri’s leading rusher will reportedly miss the Alabama game on Saturday with a foot injury — according to ESPN’s Pete Thamel.

On Tuesday, Missouri head coach Eliah Drinkwitz played some mind games with the media over his quarterback's availability.