COLUMBIA, MO. — Missouri quarterback Blaine Gabbert spent the better part of last week hobbling around in a cast. He appeared Monday with his feet clad only in sneakers.

"I'm castless right now," Gabbert said. "And I'm fine."

A week of accelerated treatment for his ankle injury and a much improved performance in Missouri's 36-17 victory Saturday over Colorado left Gabbert feeling virtually no pain.

Gabbert injured the ankle Oct. 8 against Nebraska, and in the next three games — all losses — he completed less than 50 percent of his passes. Against Colorado, he completed 17 of 29 attempts for 192 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions. Gabbert also hinted at the return of his mobility, rushing six times for 26 yards.

"He might be 100 percent this week," coach Gary Pinkel said. "We saw him run a little bit, not near as fast as he can. He made a couple mistakes, forced a couple balls. Young quarterbacks do that, but it's important we get that fixed. He's showed a tremendous amount of courage through this. There are some quarterbacks who would say, 'I'm not 100 percent. I don't think I should play.' But he's just a warrior."

LAMBERT'S SEASON ENDS

The news wasn't so good for linebacker Luke Lambert, who will have arthroscopic surgery Friday on torn cartilage in his shoulder, ending his season.

Lambert, a junior from Brookfield, Mo., broke into the starting lineup last year and became a mainstay, contributing 58 tackles. He suffered a couple of minor injuries earlier this season before hurting his shoulder two weeks ago against Texas. Through six games, Lambert had accumulated 20 tackles.

"It's difficult for Luke," Pinkel said. "He'll get the rehab going and get ready for spring football. His role becomes more of a leader, helping the young players at his position and being an emotional leader. We're certainly going to miss him."

Though Pinkel could use a dime package with just two linebackers in some situations, he also expects more productivity from linebackers Will Ebner and Xavier Gooden. Ebner, a sophomore from Friendswood, Texas, made four tackles against Colorado, including one sack, and forced a fumble.

"Losing Luke is a big deal to our team," Ebner said. "A lot of guys look up to him. He's my older brother in the program. When I have a question, he's the one I ask."

Gooden, a redshirt freshman from Pflugerville, Texas, made three tackles against Colorado and recovered a fumble.

"He can fly," Pinkel said, noting that Gooden has 4.4-second speed in the 40-yard dash. "It's been nice to see him come around. It's a very difficult position to play with all the stuff that offenses do now, with the checks and the keys and the reads; he's doing a good job."

'JUST ANOTHER GAME'

Last year's matchup against Baylor had special meaning for wide receiver Danario Alexander. He grew up in Marlin, Texas, just 30 miles from the Baylor campus in Waco, and was excited about playing before scores of family and friends. Even though he's healthier and enjoying a much better season this year, Saturday's game in Columbia is no big deal.

"It's just another game," Alexander said. "Baylor's on our schedule. They're in the (Big 12) South. I just want to have a good game."

The season has been special enough for Alexander, who has undergone four operations since arriving in Columbia but leads the team in receptions, 58, and receiving yards, 824. He caught eight passes for 123 yards and two touchdowns in the victory over Colorado and has moved to second in the Big 12 and seventh in the NCAA in receiving yards per game, 103.

"I'm very happy for him. He's been hurt and gone through a tremendous amount of adversity," Pinkel said. "Never even thought he wouldn't continue to play. If he had been healthy, this is what we'd have seen the last couple years. He's an impact player, a difference maker."

TIGER TALES

DeSmet graduate Munir Prince will try to return to the lineup this week. Prince, a defensive back, has been nursing a sore hamstring. … Gabe McRary, a freshman walk-on defensive end, also will have surgery Friday, to repair a torn knee ligament. … Offensive lineman Jayson Palmgren (ankle) is expected to practice Wednesday and Thursday and should be ready to play against Baylor. ... The Tigers' game against Kansas State on Nov. 14 has been scheduled for 11 a.m. and will be broadcast on Versus.