In full support of the team’s 17-6 victory over Miami (Ohio), the Missouri football sideline at Faurot Field on Saturday resembled a waiting line for the trainer’s room.

Starting tackle Elvis Fisher and kick returner Marcus Murphy manned their season-long spots in street clothes. Down the line were faces such as center Travis Ruth, wide receivers Jarrell Jackson and Gahn McGaffie and cornerback Kip Edwards.

As the rigors of the game wore on, two more starters joined the line in defensive end Jacquies Smith and linebacker Will Ebner, both repeat customers.

As the injured corps welcomed new members throughout the game, Missouri coach Gary Pinkel kept a running count.

“We traded off six defensive tackles throughout the whole time,” Pinkel said. “We played some of our third-team defensive tackles and defensive ends. When Jacquies went down, it also changed our third-down rush tackle. We traded a new linebacker in all three positions.”

The Tigers then took yet another injury blow Tuesday. Running back Kendial Lawrence suffered a broken fibula and expects to miss at least four weeks.

The injury epidemic has left the Tigers limping entering tonight’s primetime matchup at Arizona State. But it has also allowed the Tigers to showcase their depth, where younger players are now embracing their time to shine.

Wide receiver Marcus Lucas took his moment Saturday and ran with it — all the way for a Missouri touchdown. Making his first career start in place of Jackson, Lucas grabbed a James Franklin pass in the back of the end zone for a 10-yard score and the 17-6 lead.

“(That was a) really nice catch by Marcus, to see him make that big play and get hit pretty good,” Pinkel said. “He’s very capable of making those plays and taking the hit with it.”

Lucas was one of many Tigers that embraced their first real game opportunity on Saturday. Offensive linemen Justin Britt and Jack Meiners started on the left side of the line in place of Fisher and Ruth.

Defensively, in addition to the many linemen that shuffled in and out of the game, the Tigers welcomed fifth-year senior linebacker Luke Lambert back to the group. Lambert was a 2010 captain before knee surgery forced a redshirt.

Lambert received more opportunity than originally planned due to an ankle injury to Will Ebner, who has spent more than his fair share of days on the injured list. Filling Lambert’s hole during the 2010 season, Ebner played with a cracked bone in his foot. An off-season surgery on the foot kept him out of most of spring practice with rehab. Then, in summer practice, he missed time with a concussion. Now, he’s dealing with an ankle injury.

“It’s remarkable that a guy that tough, in that good of shape and a good athlete could have the luck he’s having injury-wise,” Pinkel said. “It’s just absolutely amazing. I guess the good news is that he can come back, so that’s the process.”

Defensive line injuries also brought forth the much-anticipated debut of defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson, a junior college transfer and the Tigers’ top recruit from the 2011 class. Richardson made an immediate impact, recording a big stop at the line of scrimmage.

“I couldn’t wait to get out there,” Richardson said. “When I got out there, (the game) went kind of fast.”

While the injuries have worn on the players dealing with them, the Tigers are learning to embrace the opportunity to inject some fresh blood into their first teams.

“There’s a reason people have been talking about our depth on defense,” defensive end Brad Madison said. “I think we’re going to be all right.”