Missouri cornerback E.J. Gaines down with quad injury

Missouri is holding a comfortable lead at Georgia (no, really, that’s happening), but holding that lead will be a considerable task without the Tigers’ best defensive back. Cornerback E.J. Gaines, a senior, went down midway through the second quarter with a leg injury, and televised reports say Gaines suffered a strained quadriceps muscle. He is officially questionable to return as of the 8:00 mark of the second quarter.

Gaines is a legitimate NFL prospect, a top-10 cornerback who’s projected to go in the third round by NFLDraftScout.com. A strained quad in the middle of October won’t affect that draft stock, but it will make Missouri’s job of holding down Georgia’s passing attack that much more difficult. Aaron Murray is the SEC’s most prolific passer for a reason, and with the Dawgs still trailing, they’re going to need Murray to throw them back into the game.

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