FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas tight end Jeremy Patton will miss “several weeks” after undergoing ankle surgery Tuesday.
Razorbacks coach Chad Morris said he anticipates Patton could return at some point this season, but did not provide a timeline when asked about the senior prior to practice Wednesday. Patton injured his ankle on the first drive of Arkansas’ 24-17 loss to Texas A&M last week.
“We are hoping to get him back,” said Morris, who added that he was unsure whether Patton could qualify for a medical redshirt. He played in five games this season and caught five passes for 45 yards.
Arkansas also will be without defensive lineman Briston Guidry for its home game against No. 1 Alabama on Saturday. Morris said Guidry had his “knee cleaned up” during a recent surgery and would “be back in a couple of weeks.”
Running back Devwah Whaley is “looking doubtful right now,” Morris said. Whaley, who started the first four games, has not played since suffering a concussion during the third quarter of Arkansas’ loss to Auburn on Sept. 22.
Backup left tackle Noah Gatlin is limited with an ankle injury, Morris said, and center Dylan Hays has been granted a medical hardship, which will end his football career. Hays was unable to practice during the preseason because of a nagging back injury, but had been listed as the team’s No. 2 center on the depth chart until this week when he was replaced by redshirt freshman Shane Clenin.
Hays is the fourth scholarship lineman to be ruled out this season, along with senior guard Deion Malone (knee), freshman tackle Ryan Winkel (shoulder) and junior tackle Jalen Merrick (headaches).
Three linemen - Hays, Merrick and guard Jake Heinrich (spine) - have been granted medical hardships since January. Medical hardships allow former scholarship athletes to receive financial assistance while no longer competing as an athlete.