Knee injury ends season, career for Missouri guard Anthony Gatti
Missouri will be without a starter on its offensive line for the rest of the season.
According to the Kansas City Star, fifth-year senior left guard Anthony Gatti tore the ACL and MCL in his right knee during the first quarter of the Tigers’ loss to Indiana Saturday. The injury, his second torn ACL while at Mizzou, will end his career.
“He will be out for the season,” head coach Gary Pinkel confirmed Monday. “It’s unfortunate – senior, been through an awful lot here, had a lot of surgeries here.”
Gatti also suffered the same serious injury to his right knee as a high senior, tore the ACL in his left knee in 2011, and had surgery to repair his quadriceps tendon in 2012.
He said he knew what the injury was as soon as he went down.
“I knew pretty much right when it happened,” Gatti said. “I’ve had three prior knee injuries. You know when something’s wrong, especially an ACL. I just went to step and heard the pop. I knew there was no turning back from there.”
Pinkel said that Gatti would still be able to help the team, just not on the field.
“Now his role will change as being a leader more so. That’s how he’ll contribute, and we’re appreciative of that,” Pinkel said.
Gatti already graduated from Missouri with a degree in agribusiness management. He’s currently pursuing a master’s degree. In Gatti’s absence, junior Brad McNulty will slide into the starting role at left guard. McNulty started five games at center in 2012 and saw action at multiple line positions in 10 games last season.
The Tigers, now 3-1 after the loss to Indiana, will travel to South Carolina for an SEC showdown Saturday night.
For more Missouri news, visit PowerMizzou.com.
- - - - - - -
Sam Cooper is a contributor for the Yahoo Sports blogs. Have a tip? Email him or follow him on Twitter!
