As expected, Missouri football quarterback Brady Cook was listed on the Tigers’ first midweek availability report. The lingering question was the severity of his designation.

On the SEC-mandated availability report released Wednesday evening, Cook was listed as "doubtful," indicating that he is unlikely to play in the Tigers’ game against Alabama on Saturday in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.

Two more Missouri players are listed as doubtful: starting running back Nate Noel and wide receiver Mookie Cooper.

Four key members of MU's safety rotation are listed as questionable: Sidney Williams Sr.; Daylan Carnell; Joseph Charleston; and Tre'Vez Johnson. Starting tight end Brett Norfleet and starting left guard also are listed as questionable for the matchup.

Wide receiver Marquis Johnson, who missed MU's game at Auburn, is listed as probable.

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Reports emerged earlier Wednesday from ESPN reporter Pete Thamel that Noel had been ruled out of Mizzou’s trip to Tuscaloosa. While that may be the case come Saturday, the Tribune confirmed with a Missouri team spokesperson shortly afterward that no official decision has been made about Noel’s availability, and that for now he will be “doubtful.”

The SEC requires its members to publish four availability reports in the week leading up to a conference matchup. The possible designations, from most likely to play to least likely, are available; probable; questionable; doubtful; and out.

Cook seemingly suffered a high-ankle sprain during the first quarter of Missouri’s game against Auburn on Saturday after what the QB called a “hip-drop tackle” from AU defensive end Jalen McLeod. Cook, in one of the more incredible stories of the college football season, returned from a hospital visit to spearhead a fourth-quarter comeback.

On Tuesday, Missouri coach Eli Drinkwitz said that he did not expect Cook to participate in the Tigers’ practice that day, although he expected that Cook would be in attendance. Mizzou, for the first time this season, closed the entirety of the Tuesday practice to the media.

“I don't know if I'd say, ‘participate,’” Drinkwitz said. “I anticipate that he will be out at practice, but that's why I'm not letting the media at practice, so that y'all can’t worry about what he's doing or not doing in practice.”

If he can’t play, Drew Pyne will be in line for his first start of the season. The QB entered the game in the first quarter and played until Cook's return, going 10-for-21 for 78 yards.

Noel is dealing with a foot injury, per Thamel’s report. He took one carry in the third quarter as he after being ruled “unlikely” to return to the game at half time, but did not return to the matchup after that.

With a “doubtful” designation, Noel is likely to miss the contest in Tuscaloosa. If he can’t go, Marcus Carroll, Jamal Roberts and Kewan Lacy will each likely be in line for increased reps.

Norfleet went to the locker room in the first quarter of the game against Auburn but was able to return and ended up playing 27 total snaps across the contest. His backup likely is Jordan Harris, who had a couple catches for 20 yards in the game and was Mizzou’s lead tight end for most of the contest against AU with 37 snaps.

Cooper is likely to be replaced by either Joshua Manning or Marquis Johnson.

Mizzou would be likely to plug in Mitchell Walters, who often has been used as a sixth offensive linemen, if Green is unavailable Saturday.

The safety spot could prove to be a problem for the Tigers, as Carnell, Charleston, Tre'Vez Johnson and Williams all play often. It seems unlikely that all four will be unavailable, but Mizzou may need to turn to the likes of sophomore Phillip Roche and freshman Trajan Greco should multiple players miss the game.

Missouri football's full Wednesday availability report

• Brady Cook, quarterback, doubtful

• Nate Noel, running back, doubtful

• Mookie Cooper, wide receiver, doubtful

• Sidney Williams Sr., safety, questionable

• Daylan Carnell, safety, questionable

• Tre'Vez Johnson, safety, questionable

• Joseph Charleston, safety, questionable

• Brett Norfleet, tight end, questionable

• Cayden Green, left guard, questionable

• Marquis Johnson, wide receiver, probable

This article originally appeared on Columbia Daily Tribune: Brady Cook injury update: Missouri football QB on lengthy availability report