FAYETTEVILLE — When Arkansas lost Jared Cornelius to a back injury last week, the Razorbacks lost more than just an experienced receiver in preseason practice.
Arkansas also lost its most respected voice in the receiver meeting room. Cornelius was removed from the team's 105-man roster and likely won't rejoin the team until the roster expands later this month. Only players on the 105 can be involved in preseason team activities, including meetings.
With Cornelius on the outside, a pair of receivers - Deon Stewart and La'Michael Pettway - have been thrust into expanded leadership roles in the position room.
"Jared, he was the voice of our group," Stewart said. "Now me and Pettway are the ones having to step up and be the voice, and help the younger guys and keep their heads up whenever they mess up. It's a little different, but I think Pettway and I have got it."
Being vocal isn't natural for Stewart, a redshirt sophomore whose two career catches are the most by any Arkansas receiver going through preseason drills.
"I've never really been a vocal guy," Stewart said. "I've accepted that I have to step up and do that.
"I know that this is important to the younger guys....We're trying to make sure these younger guys are coming along."
Speaking up has been a change for Pettway, too.
"Pettway, his attitude is more to himself," quarterback Austin Allen said. "He's a little introverted."
Allen said the loudest voices for the receivers have been position coach Michael Smith, offensive coordinator Dan Enos and offensive quality control coach John Roberts. Allen himself has been in the receivers' ears as a good cop, so to speak.
"Coach Smith, J-Rob, Coach Enos - they're always getting on them," Allen said. "I'm kind of the guy that goes over and tells them what to do after they get with their coaches. As Jared comes back, he'll be that louder voice in that room.
"I'm sure Jared will know what to do. I have full confidence for him to be 100 percent and the old Jared. He's Mr. Reliable."
Stewart and Pettway have had to lead with their play, too. Both were challenged by head coach Bret Bielema on the first day of the preseason, told they could be passed by newcomers if they didn't step it up.
Smith took it a step further when he told reporters earlier this week that Pettway needed to learn his playbook better. Stewart said Pettway has responded well to the challenge in the last three practices, including Thursday when he made a pair of touchdown receptions.
"Pettway has been making plays the last couple of days in the redzone, using his size and using his hands to come down with it," Stewart said.
"If he messes up, it's been one or two things. He's done a good job. He might block the wrong man or a small, pre-snap penalty like jumping offsides. We'll get that fixed."
Stewart has been a steady presence on the field since the first practice. He and Allen both praised their chemistry in passing patterns, having worked three and four times each week this summer on different routes for different coverages.
"He knows the offense so much better this year," Allen said. "He's a little more physical. We're still trying to put some weight on him. I don't know if he eats enough, but he's got the speed."
Stewart's knowledge of the offense has expanded to the run game.
"I feel like I understand the run game and who I'm supposed to block more than last year," Stewart said. "Last year I would try to guess, but now whenever I break the huddle and get the play call, I know who I'm supposed to be blocking."
Allen said it all - the receiving, blocking and talking - is the byproduct of a more mature player.
"He's just like me," Allen said. "I came in thinking college isn't going to be that bad, I was good in high school and things like that. But it's a different world. You've got to juggle, football, school, social - all the things that come with it.
"He's more mature on the football field and knows every play in practice has to be like a game rep. He's taken that in stride and played better since the spring."
That's important with the Razorbacks' only experienced receiver away for a while.
"We're trying to hold it down until Jared gets back," Stewart said.