Breaking news: Mizzou QB arrest charges downgraded

Police investigating the arrest of Missouri back-up quarterback Corbin Berkstresser  have decided to charge the player with a misdemeanor not a felony after being arrested for leaving the scene of an accident in mid-May, Dave Matter of Mizzou’s Columbia Daily Tribune has reported.

Berkstresser was suspended from the team – already suffering from the absence of QB James Franklin, who is recovering from shoulder surgery – after his arrest on May 12th because of the charges hanging over him after he smashed his car into another – parked – one in Columbia.

Matter tweeted: “With the misdemeanor charge, Berkstresser should be able to apply for reinstatement w/ #Mizzou football team to end suspension.” 

He added: “This happened in May; what’s new is the charge and that it’s not a felony.”

THE BOTTOM LINE: Missouri coach Gary Pinkel told reporters at the SEC Spring Meeting that he expects Franklin to be OK for the start of the season, but this news should at least give the Tigers some depth back at the position. Pinkel has not been exempt from the police’s handcuffs after being arrested for a DUI last season, which prematurely ended his season with the team.