(BCSNN) — Missouri quarterback Sam Horn will miss the remainder of the 2025 season after suffering a fractured tibia on the first play of the Tigers’ opener against Central Arkansas, head coach Eli Drinkwitz confirmed following midweek workouts for Mizzou. Horn underwent successful surgery and is expected to make a full recovery, but the injury marks a premature end to what was shaping up to be a pivotal year for the redshirt junior.

Horn’s injury occurred during a designed quarterback run in the first quarter of Missouri’s 61–6 win on Aug. 28. After gaining six yards, Horn took a hit to his lower right leg and remained on the turf before being helped off by trainers. He was later seen on crutches with a full-leg cast and did not return to the sideline. The play was his only snap of the season, capping a quarterback competition that had extended into Week 1.

“Just devastated,” Drinkwitz said. “You hurt for the young man. Last year was taken away from him for a different reason, and now this year he’s going to have to face another injury. There’s something that wears you down mentally in those things.”

Horn, a former four-star recruit and dual-sport athlete, missed the entire 2024 football season while recovering from Tommy John surgery. He had previously appeared in four games behind Brady Cook in 2023, completing eight passes and rushing for nine yards. Horn also signed a $497,500 bonus with the Los Angeles Dodgers after being selected in the 17th round of the 2025 MLB Draft, casting doubt on whether he’ll return to college football.

With Horn sidelined, Penn State transfer Beau Pribula will continue as Missouri’s starting quarterback. Pribula impressed in his debut, throwing for 283 yards and two touchdowns while rushing for two more scores against Central Arkansas. He followed that with a 334-yard, three-touchdown performance in Missouri’s Week 2 win over Kansas. True freshman Matt Zollers, a four-star recruit from Pennsylvania, will serve as Pribula’s backup moving forward.

Missouri (2–0) hosts Louisiana on Saturday afternoon, with Pribula firmly entrenched as QB1 and Zollers one play away from his first extended action. For Horn, the injury may signal the end of his college career, but Drinkwitz said the team will support him through recovery. “We’ll face it with him,” Drinkwitz said. “We’re all really disappointed.”