FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas outside linebacker Jamario Bell will likely miss about half the season after undergoing surgery Monday to repair a foot injury, Razorbacks coach Bret Bielema said.
Bell suffered the injury during Saturday's practice, which Bielema said was a re-aggravation of a previous injury. Bell will miss about 10 to 12 weeks of practice time.
"The kid hasn't had an easy road and he was flourishing, so I said, 'Hey, don't let this get you,'" Bielema said.
"He's a likable kid that guys really enjoy. He's got some fun traits to him so I don't think this will be the end of him."
Bell, a redshirt sophomore from Junction City, converted to linebacker during spring practice. He had worked out with tight ends last season and spent his first season at Arkansas working out with the defensive line. He has never played in a game.
"Without question, we were a little surprised with what he did in a short period of time after moving to the Hog spot from tight end late in spring," Arkansas defensive coordinator Paul Rhoads told Hawgs Illustrated earlier this year. "He did some things that we didn’t see the first time he was on defense. Maybe this fits him better (than defensive end). We’ll see. He did make plays."