Two key Missouri defenders are likely out for the season after suffering ACL tears in the Tigers’ homecoming loss to Middle Tennessee State.

Missouri coach Barry Odom said middle linebacker Michael Scherer suffered a torn right ACL and MCL during the Tigers’ first defensive series of the game when he got cut blocked. And defensive tackle Terry Beckner Jr. suffered a torn ACL in his left knee — also on a cut block — in the second half.

Scherer is Missouri’s top tackler. The senior has 53 tackles in 2016 including 3.5 for loss. He had 114 tackles as Missouri won the SEC East in 2014 and 93 tackles in 2015.

Odom said Scherer’s career was over. He didn’t make the same season-ending declaration about Beckner, but given that he too has a torn ACL, it seems probable he’ll miss the rest of the year too.

It’s Beckner’s second season-ending knee injury in two years with the Tigers. He tore the ACL and MCL in his right knee on a cut block vs. BYU in 2015. He recovered in time to return for preseason practice in 2016.

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Beckner was Missouri’s highest-rated recruit in the class of 2015. He was a four-star recruit and the No. 5 defensive tackle according to Rivals.

The loss to Middle Tennessee dropped Missouri to 2-5 on the season. The Tigers’ offense has been much better — at least in terms of yards — from a year ago but the defense has taken significant steps back. The team changed scheme with the addition of defensive coordinator DeMontie Cross from TCU.

Odom said Monday he’ll be taking a more active role within the defense. Any improvement will be much harder to come by without Beckner and Scherer.

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Nick Bromberg is the assistant editor of Dr. Saturday on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at nickbromberg@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!

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