FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas coach Chad Morris confirmed Monday evening that senior receiver Deon Stewart suffered a season-ending knee injury in the team's second scrimmage of the preseason on Saturday.
Morris said Stewart's torn ACL is "unfortunate," and he described him as a "great young man, a great leader."
"It’s something that when he went down Saturday we didn’t think much of it," Morris added. "We thought that it was just something minor, and we went in that afternoon for an MRI. He will definitely be missed, but he’ll be back better than ever.
"He’ll be back stronger, and we’ll obviously go after his sixth year of eligibility. That’ll be something we’ll go ahead and apply for. Hate that for him."
Stewart, Arkansas' primary punt returner in 2018, caught 22 passes for 178 yards last season.
Morris also provided injury updates on receivers Jordan Jones and Koilan Jackson. Jones, a native of Smackover, Ark., will miss 2 1/2 to 4 weeks with a high ankle sprain similar to the one freshman defensive end Eric Gregory suffered earlier in camp. Morris is hopeful Jackson, who is dealing with a knee injury, will return to the practice field Thursday or Friday.
Freshman receiver Trey Knox also missed Monday's workout with an illness, according to Morris.
Senior tight end Cheyenne O'Grady, who suffered a minor injury in practice on Aug. 13 and underwent surgery the following day, should be full go for the beginning of next week, Morris said.
Offensive lineman Colton Jackson, sidelined with a nagging foot injury last week, returned to the practice field Monday. Morris said he also expects left guard Austin Capps (knee sprain) back this week, but he will likely be held out of Wednesday's scrimmage.