Missouri’s Morgan Steward undergoes season-ending hip surgery

Missouri officially ruled out sophomore running back Morgan Steward for the remainder of the 2014 season.

Tigers coach Gary Pinkel said Steward, a Staley graduate, had arthroscopic surgery to repair an injured right hip late last week

“It was a non-contact injury that he had and we tried to get it (better) through rehab, which was recommended,” Pinkel said. “It just didn’t work, so he had a scope and it came out very positive. We expect to get him back … for next year.”

Steward suffered the original injury Aug. 8 when he fell to the turf in practice.

“It was a little bit of a chip in the bone, I think,” Pinkel said. “It had healed through the rehab, but from what I understand they just had to clean up some debris in there.”

Pinkel said MU will apply for a medical hardship waiver, but it’s unlikely to be granted. Steward took a redshirt season in 2012, so he’s already in year three of his five-year clock for NCAA eligibility.

Generally, a student-athlete must be able to show two seasons that were lost by injury or other factors outside his control to gain a sixth year of eligibility.

Nonetheless, Missouri will try.

“There’s certainly rules that apply to this, but we’re certainly going to do everything we can to possibly get the year back,” Pinkel said. “You have to apply through the NCAA and try to appeal for a redshirt year. We’ll try to do the best we can and see what we can get.”

Hansbrough wins SEC award

Missouri junior running back Russell Hansbrough was chosen Monday as the SEC offensive player of the week after rushing for nearly 200 yards in a win Saturday at Texas A&M.

Hansbrough, a native of Arlington, Texas, carved up the Aggies for a career-high 199 yards in 20 carries, including touchdown runs of 49 and 45 yards during the third quarter of a 34-27 victory.

His yards were the most for a Tigers running back in a conference game since Devin West racked up 252 yards at Iowa State on Oct. 10, 1998.

Powered by Hansbrough, Missouri finished with season-highs for total yards (587) and rushing yards (335). He leads the Tigers with 142 carries for 790 yards and nine touchdowns this season.

This is MU’s first SEC offensive player of the week award since quarterback Maty Mauk received the honor for his performance Sept. 6 at Toledo.

Penton reinstated

Missouri sophomore cornerback Aarion Penton has been reinstated from an indefinite suspension.

Penton, who missed the Texas A&M game after his arrest Nov. 7 for suspicion of marijuana possession, appeared atop the Tigers’ depth chart opposite junior Kenya Dennis at cornerback for Saturday’s game at Tennessee.

“He is off suspension, and he is back in the program,” Pinkel confirmed Monday at his weekly news conference.

When asked what requirements Penton fulfilled to be reinstated, Pinkel said he doesn’t discuss disciplinary issues.

“I don’t discuss discipline issues,” Pinkel said. “Never have in 14 years.”

Penton has three interceptions and is tied for the team lead with seven pass breakups.

This story was originally published November 17, 2014 at 9:10 PM with the headline "Missouri’s Morgan Steward undergoes season-ending hip surgery."