John L. Smith - Monday Update
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Wilson not yet cleared, questionable for Alabama game
By:
Matt Jones
Published: September 10, 2012 at 1:33 p.m. - Updated: September 10, 2012 at 4:46 p.m.
Arkansas quarterback Tyler Wilson passes during the first quarter of an NCAA college football game against Jacksonville State in Fayetteville, Ark., Saturday, Sept. 1, 2012.
FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas quarterback Tyler Wilson hasn’t been cleared by doctors to practice and the senior might not play in the Razorbacks’ game against No. 1 Alabama on Saturday.
Wilson suffered a head injury in the second quarter of Arkansas’ 34-31 overtime loss to Louisiana-Monroe on Saturday at War Memorial Stadium. He was kept in Little Rock overnight for observation, but officials haven't specified whether he suffered a concussion.
Arkansas coach John L. Smith said the team will move forward practicing Brandon Mitchell and Brandon Allen at quarterback this week. Allen played the final two quarters and overtime on Saturday, while Mitchell made a position switch to receiver in the preseason.
Mitchell, a redshirt junior, played in nine games last season, completing 22 of 32 passes for 271 yards and 2 touchdowns. He also rushed for two touchdowns.
In the season-opener against Jacksonville State, Mitchell had four catches for 122 yards.
Allen, a redshirt freshman, has completed 10 of 27 passes for 118 yards. After throwing a touchdown on his first possession, he finished Saturday’s contest with 12 consecutive incomplete passes.
“Brandon is going to bounce back,” Smith said. “He knows he can play the game and we know he can play the game. It’s kind of an unfair situation for him to be placed in at that point in time.
“He needs others to step up around him and play well.”
Which quarterback will start in the scenario Wilson is unable to play is unknown, Smith said, adding that decision will be made as the week goes along.
Wilson has the second-best passing efficiency in the Southeastern Conference this season, completing 63.5 percent of his passes for 563 yards and 5 touchdowns.
“Tyler is our leader,” tight end Chris Gragg said. “If he can’t lead on the field, he’ll do whatever he can on the sidelines and in the film room.”
Smith said starting cornerback Tevin Mitchel will miss the Alabama game with what is still being listed as “an injury above the shoulders”. Mitchel was taken off the field on a stretcher after a violent collision in the fourth quarter against ULM.
Mitchel was kept in Little Rock for evaluation over the weekend, and is scheduled to return to Fayetteville today.
Running back Kody Walker will miss the rest of the 2012 season after suffering a broken leg on Saturday, Smith said.
Walker was injured on punt coverage in the fourth quarter, just moments following Mitchel's injury. He was carted off the field and underwent surgery in Little Rock.
It is the second consecutive season Walker has suffered a season-ending injury. He had stress fractures in both legs after playing three games last season and received a medical redshirt.
Walker was listed as Arkansas’ back-up fullback and used as a tailback in short-yardage situations. In five career games, he has scored six touchdowns, including one in the opener against Jacksonville State.
Kiero Small, the team’s starting fullback entering the season, underwent surgery last Thursday for an unspecified foot injury and will miss 6 to 12 weeks, Smith said. Small, a senior, could receive a medical hardship.
