No set timetable for Austin Allen return

Austin Allen (8) and Cole Kelley, Arkansas quarterbacks, warm up before the game against Ole Miss Saturday, Oct. 28, 2017, at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium in Oxford, Miss.

— Austin Allen continues to progress in his recovery from a right shoulder injury, but there is still no definite timetable for his return.

The senior quarterback has missed the last three games after injuring his throwing shoulder Oct. 7 in the 48-22 loss at South Carolina. He threw on the field prior to Arkansas’ last two games against Auburn and Ole Miss.

“I don’t think Austin is at a point where we can say he’s the No. 1 quarterback to prepare all week to get to Saturday, because I know he’s limited Tuesday and Wednesday right now,” coach Bret Bielema said. “Maybe next week, yes, but right now it’s not that way.”

Redshirt freshman Cole Kelley will continue to take first-team reps this week as Allen works his way back. Kelley has started the last three games in Allen’s stead and has thrown for 738 yards, seven touchdowns and three interceptions while completing 58.6 percent of his passes and running for an additional 68 yards and a score with two lost fumbles.

Allen has started 18 games since the beginning of last year, during which the Razorbacks have struggled to protect him. Arkansas ranks last in the SEC with 28 sacks allowed this year and ranked 13th last year after allowing 35.

Ideally, (you’d want) to get him back as soon as possible, but I don’t think you want to rush him,” Bielema said. “Austin has the opportunity possibly of playing football beyond here and I don’t want to put him on the field if he’s at risk. That’s the biggest thing I kept pressing, not can he execute the job, it’s to make sure he can protect himself and put himself in a position that he doesn’t harm himself further, he’s completely healthy.”