Porter out for Mizzou finale, reportedly returning for SEC tournament

If your hopes were high for Michael Porter Jr. making his triumphant return in Missouri's big season finale, prepare to be disappointed.

After missing all but the first two minutes of the season, Porter has been cleared to return. However, he said in a statement that he will not be playing in Saturday's contest against Arkansas.

"After two more practices since coming home from Nashville, the coaching staff and I feel that it is in the best interest of the team and myself to not play tonight," Porter said in the statement. "Coming back from three months without practicing has been a challenge, but it is a challenge that I am taking on every day. The plan is to keep working, with an eye on potentially playing at the SEC Tournament and helping our squad be successful in the postseason."

Despite being forced to miss yet another game while working on fully recovering, a source told ESPN that they would be "shocked if he doesn't play in the SEC tournament," according to Jeff Goodman.

Missouri has done well without its star freshman but isn't a sure thing to make the NCAA tournament. Getting a much-needed spark from Porter would surely be the sort of push needed in the competitive SEC tournament.

Porter hasn't played since the first game of the season for Missouri, which is 9-8 in conference play and 19-11 overall heading into Saturday's season finale against Arkansas.