An already intriguing season for Missouri has become even more so -- just not in a positive way.
Defensive tackle Harold Brantley and defensive end Walter Brady will not play in the 2016 season, per Gabe DeArmond of Power Mizzou. Brantley has been ruled academically ineligible while Brady is no longer with the team for a violation of policy.
Harold Brantley is academically ineligible for #Mizzou football. Walter Brady is off the team for a violation of team policy. Major blow.
— Gabe DeArmond (@GabeDeArmond) August 3, 2016
In short, these are two huge loses for a team that needed all the help it could get this season. Brantley was third on the team in sacks in 2014 behind Shane Ray and Markus Golden. He was looking to return in 2016 after a car accident sidelined him for the entire 2015 season. In June, first-year coach Barry Odom said Brantley could be "one of the best comeback stories" the coach has ever seen.
That comeback has been put on hold yet again.
As for Brady, the redshirt sophomore was tied for first on the team with seven sacks a season ago. While the Tigers still have Charles Harris, a potential first-round pick, these are big blows to what has been the consistent strength of this team. If nothing else, it puts more pressure on Harris to pick up the slack.
Missouri was picked sixth in the SEC preseason media poll and opens the season at West Virginia.
