Published: Monday, November 23, 2009
Updated: Tuesday, October 27, 2009 10:46 AM CDT

COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) — Missouri coach Gary Pinkel says quarterback Blaine Gabbert merely “tweaked” his sprained right ankle Saturday and will start this week at Colorado.

Gabbert suffered the sprain Oct. 8 and was wearing a walking cast Monday. On Saturday, he was helped off the field after being sacked in the third quarter of a 41-7 loss to Texas.

Pinkel says Gabbert could have returned to the game, but that it seemed like a good time to pull him. Gabbert was just 8-for-16 for 84 yards against the Longhorns but insists his ankle is not a factor.

Missouri (4-3, 0-3 Big 12) will be without starting middle linebacker Luke Lambert for Saturday’s game at Colorado (2-5, 1-2). Lambert separated his shoulder against Texas, and the Tigers were waiting for results of an MRI to determine if he’ll need season-ending surgery.