Eli Drinkwitz is upset about Darris Smith's injury in the preseason

Missouri suffered a major setback in fall camp when it lost talented edge rushers Darris Smith to a knee injury that will put him out of action for the rest of the season. Coach Eli Drinkwitz is particularly badly hit by the injury.

Missouri's head coach said Tuesday that he was feeling unwell because he was partly responsible for the injury.

“I'm really disappointed for Darris and I'm upset every day because ultimately, as the head coach, I'm responsible for setting up the practice,” Drinkwitz said. “I wish I had done something different that day.”

Darris Smith transferred from Georgia to Missouri in the offseason, where he finished low in the rankings, but was expected to be a key contributor for Missouri.

In his two years with the Bulldogs, Smith recorded six tackles in 16 games as a substitute.

He could have accomplished a lot more with the Tigers this season, in a year in which Missouri could well be a playoff contender.

“He played, had an excellent training camp and I think he's been great with the right attitude and obviously disappointed but not devastated,” Drinkwitz said. “He continues to attend our team meetings, has his head up and positive energy and is going to be a great teammate.”

With Darris Smith now out, Missouri will have to refocus and find new defensive linemen, but Drinkwitz didn't seem too concerned about depth on that side of the ball, especially at edge rusher.

“The thing about football is that it keeps going,” Drinkwitz said. “Whether you're a coach or a player, the game never stops. So, yeah, obviously we have to have a 'next man up' mentality. You're never going to be Darris Smith, and we don't need anyone to be Darris Smith. We need them to be the best version of themselves, and these guys have embraced that.”

“We have a big space. This is a position where we are deep. Obviously Eddie Kelly, Zion Young, Johnny Walker, Joe Moore, Jahkai Lang would be the first five and then you would have the two newcomers who would actually be promoted.”

Eli Drinkwitz and Missouri will play their season opener against Murray State.