FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas' offensive line is pushing forward after losing a piece during the first weekend of preseason practices.
Razorbacks coach Chad Morris confirmed Monday afternoon in a brief meeting with the media that redshirt freshman offensive lineman Noah Gatlin, a native of Jonesboro, tore the ACL in his right knee on Friday in the team's first practice of the fall.
The plan is for Gatlin, who played in four games last season, to undergo surgery on the knee toward the end of this week, Morris added.
"It's unfortunate," Morris said. "But that happens. It’s football. You move on. He’ll become a better person and a better player because of it. It’s just some adversity that he’ll have to go through."
Morris is hopeful Gatlin will recover in time to participate in some spring practices in 2020.
Despite losing Gatlin, Morris said he's pleased with depth at offensive line and he's seen linemen take a professional approach to the field since the injury.
"They understand it’s part of the game. That’s going to happen and it’s the next-man-up mentality," he said. "So these guys will respond. They’ll come together and respond and pull together and have a great camp and lead them to a great season."
Sophomore Dalton Wagner continues to receive first-team reps at right tackle, and redshirt freshman Ryan Winkel has gotten work with the second team in Gatlin's absence.
Junior college transfer Myron Cunningham (6-6, 290), who primarily worked at left tackle and left guard in the spring, said he saw a bit of time at right tackle Monday, too.
"I’m just ready to play wherever," added Cunningham, who played at Iowa Central Community College last fall. "Wherever I can to get on the field as fast as I can. I feel like (depth) is working itself out slowly.
"As of right now, I think it’s where it should be."