Hopes were high going into Missouri football’s third scrimmage of the summer Thursday afternoon. By the end of the day, the outlook was much more grim.
The Tigers were dealt a major blow when starting tailback Derrick Washington was suspended for disciplinary reasons prior to the scrimmage. According to a report by the Columbia Missourian posted on its website Thursday evening, court documents state Washington was issued an order of protection by Boone County Circuit Court Judge Leslie Schneider in June after he was accused of sexual assault by a woman in her early 20s. Schneider is also an adjunct faculty member at the MU School of Law.
Coach Gary Pinkel refused to comment on the reason or the timetable for the suspension.
“He is indefinitely suspended for disciplinary reasons,” Pinkel said. “As I’ve done for the past 10 years, I don’t ever talk about those issues. I told my players that when something happens, I don’t do that.”
An order of protection against Washington was issued three days after the allegations, on June 22, forbidding him to go to the residence of the woman who made the allegations or communicate with her.
According to the court documents cited by the Missourian, neither Washington nor the woman appeared at a court hearing scheduled for July 21.
Washington has led the team in rushing the past two seasons. His suspension opens the door for sophomore Kendial Lawrence and true freshman Henry Josey, who could see added playing time in Washington’s absence.
Josey was as surprised as anyone about Washington’s suspension preceding the scrimmage.
“It was a shock to me when I got in the locker room,” Josey said. “I didn’t really know what happened. He’s real close to me, so it kind of touched me. But we will work it out together.”
The day did not improve for Missouri after Pinkel’s announcement on Washington’s suspension. Near the end of the scrimmage, senior cornerback Munir Prince was critically injured after receiving a crushing blow during a return. Practice was halted as players gathered around and Prince was taken off the field on a stretcher.
Prince was diagnosed with “transient quadriplegia, a temporary loss of sensation and movement in the upper and lower extremities,” according to a Athletics Department news release.
“Munir’s neurological status is improving and will continue to be monitored closely over several days,” team physician Pat Smith said in the release. “We believe, at this time, that his prognosis is favorable.”
The injury was yet another issue to weigh on the mind of a team trying to prepare for its season opener. Freshman standout receiver Marcus Lucas said he feels overcoming this adversity would bring the team closer together.
“Any time you take shots like that you just got to learn how to come closer as a team,” Lucas said. “The things we’ve been through today, it’s a lesson for us, and it will make us a lot closer.”
Junior quarterback Blaine Gabbert pledged to remain focused on the Tigers’ seasoner opener despite the team’s setbacks Thursday.
“Every team has setbacks in two-a-days, but we’re going to bounce back and fight on,” Gabbert said. “We’re preparing every day to play Illinois. They are going to be a great team this season, and we are extremely close to being ready.“
Gabbert will be the key to a Tiger offense that limps into the season opener with a suspended Washington and two injured wide receivers. Gabbert threw for 3,593 yards and 24 touchdowns last season despite playing on a severely sprained ankle for most of the season.
Missouri will open the season Sept. 4 against Illinois in the Edward Jones Dome in St. Louis.