Missouri's Franklin thinks he'll be ready for Saturday's game

COLUMBIA, Mo. -- Missouri quarterback James Franklin says there's a 90 percent chance he'll start this week at South Carolina.

Franklin sat out the Tigers' 24-20 victory over Arizona State on Saturday because of inflammation in his right shoulder. The 6-foot-2, 228-pound junior was in full uniform before the game and announced as the starter by the public address announcer, but instead donned a cap and headset at kickoff.

Franklin says it was his decision not to play, and that he told offensive coordinator Dave Yost 10 minutes before the game he didn't know if he'd be able to throw effectively.

"I felt a little torn about it because I did want to help my teammates out, but at the same time, I just didn't feel comfortable with it," he said.

Freshman Corbin Berkstresser learned he would be starting about 5 minutes before kickoff, and threw for 198 yards with an interception on 21-of-41 passing. Franklin has thrown for 400 yards and three touchdowns with an interception in two games this season.

Franklin was injured when Georgia linebacker Jarvis Jones hit his arm. Franklin immediately felt pain, but it subsided enough the following day for him to tell coach Gary Pinkel he was OK.

After practicing, however, Franklin realized the inflammation still was severe enough to keep him limited during the week. He didn't think about sitting out until two days before Saturday's game.

Franklin refused a cortisone shot to relieve the pain. Yost wasn't surprised or bothered by the decision because Franklin hasn't taken one in the past.

"When he tells me it's hurting enough that he doesn't think he's able to be effective as a quarterback, I know it must be really painful because otherwise he'd be out there," Yost said.

Pinkel addressed speculation that Franklin's decision to not take the shot and play meant the quarterback wasn't committed to the team.

"Anybody that questions James Franklin's toughness, they have to have been in a coma for the last two years," Pinkel said. "He's one of the toughest athletes I've ever been around."

Franklin started 15 consecutive games before Saturday.