[KcMizzou]

Mizzou coach Gary Pinkel disputes reports on Franklin’s recovery time

The Kansas City Star

Missouri coach Gary Pinkel disputed reports about the recovery time of quarterback James Franklin on Sunday.

Pinkel’s weekly TV show aired Sunday morning on KOMU in Columbia, and according to a Columbia Tribune reporter, Pinkel said that Franklin suffered a Grade II shoulder separation and will be out a few weeks, but that it was too soon to know exactly how long.

On Saturday, CBS Sports college football columnist Bruce Feldman, citing an anonymous source, reported Franklin would miss at least six weeks. ESPN’s Brett McMurphy, also citing an anonymous source, reported Franklin would miss the Tigers’ six remaining regular-season games.

According to the Tribune reporter, Pinkel said Sunday that those reports were not accurate: “We haven’t even talked about it. I just said he’ll be out a few weeks,” adding that he would have more accuracy on Franklin’s prognosis in the next 48 hours.

If Franklin is out six weeks, he would miss all but the Tigers’ regular-season finale against Texas A&M on Nov. 30.

Franklin left in the fourth quarter of Saturday’s 41-26 victory at No. 7 Georgia. Also Saturday, senior cornerback E.J. Gaines, a Fort Osage graduate, left because of a right quad strain early in the second quarter and did not return. Pinkel said Sunday on his TV show that Gaines has a “thigh bruse.”

It was unclear exactly when Franklin suffered the injury. There was an awkward throwaway near the sideline when Franklin appeared to be hit and driven to the ground. He stayed in for another play, a 4-yard run when uncharacteristically he stepped out of bounds.

Missouri then called a timeout, and Franklin headed to the locker room.

The is no official timetable for Gaines’ return either.

http://www.kansascity.com/2013/10/13...-disputes.html