FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas' offensive staff had been moving in the right direction in terms of solidifying its five best offensive linemen, then came another bump in the road this week.
Chad Morris announced Saturday following the team's second in-stadium scrimmage that the Razorbacks will be without three more offensive linemen - Colton Jackson (knee), Silas Robinson (knee) and Drew Vest (shoulder) - for the final four practices of the spring, which includes the Red-White game on April 6.
Jackson, who according to the staff was having his best spring, and Robinson will return early in the summer. It was unclear when Vest will be full-go again. Jackson's injury will require clean-up surgery, but he should be back in four weeks, according to Morris.
"I think overall during spring we’ve gotten better. There’s no doubt about it we’ve gotten better," Morris added. "I just wish we could have finished this spring off with the solid five that we felt confident with to start the season with. It is what it is. Coach Fry will continue to move these guys around and we’ll be bringing some more guys in at the end of May."
Arkansas' first-team offensive line on Saturday featured Myron Cunningham at left tackle, Austin Capps at left guard, Ty Clary over the ball, Shane Clenin at right guard and Dalton Wagner at right tackle. The second team saw Chibueze Nwanna at left tackle, Capps and Clary splitting reps at left guard, Austin Nix at center, Ryan Winkel at right guard and Noah Gatlin protecting the right edge.
Earlier in the week with Jackson available, Cunningham also worked at left guard and impressed offensive coordinator Joe Craddock.
"He's everything we thought he'd be in recruiting," Craddock said. "He's done a really good job of buying in. It's been an easy buy-in for him. He's really studied and learned. ... He's done a really good job, and I was just talking about it with Dalton Wagner, he's been a really good addition to our room and to that O-line room and the competition in that room.
"He's working hard. Again, we're trying to find our best five and get those guys on the field any way we can."
While coaches lost three linemen to injury this week, they essentially gained two in Clenin and Capps. Clenin, as of March 13, was thought to be lost for the spring with a foot injury, and Capps has dealt with the flu this week as well as class conflicts throughout spring drills. For the most part, Clenin did not work out in pads this week, but was able to get work in during the 120-140 play scrimmage Saturday.
In the portion of the scrimmage available to the media, the previously mentioned offensive lines struggled. Morris said the energy was definitely brought by the Razorbacks' first-team defensive line, which includes Gabe Richardson, TJ Smith, Sosa Agim and Dorian Gerald. Jamario Bell and Jonathan Marshall also received first-team reps, and Richardson saw time at both end spots. Bumper Pool was also very active at linebacker.
With this week's injuries stacked on top of Audry Horn and Kirby Adcock's absence, Wagner said his group has to approach things with a next-man-up mentality.
"Again, you guys saw it last year, too," he added. "It’s about everybody studying as much as they can at every position they can. It’s just everyone trying to get up there to play what they can and to do what they can. Really everyone steps up and steps in.
"There’s no complaining and the best five go out there and we do it."
Richardson, who had a tackle for loss and touch sack in the open portion of the scrimmage, noted the offensive line is doing its best to pick up on tendencies and progress each day.
"You know (Wagner is) not going to block me the same way he blocked someone else," Richardson said. "He's going to come with different things. You've got guys coming in with experience, JUCO transfers like my roommate Chibueze Nwanna and Myron Cunningham.
"Both those guys continue to work. They're going to see one move and they expect it the next time, but we've got to give them a little spicy chicken to make sure they catch up to it. They're going to keep working everyday."
Craddock added that his prerogative is finding continuity up front and it's difficult at times to not grow frustrated having to mix and match his front. Banged-up players missing time is part of it.
"It’s one of those things, but what I love is thankfully it’s spring and not fall and we are able to get some more guys some reps," he said. "You want to get used to playing next to a guy, but we’re building a lot of depth. Guys are working hard playing a lot of different positions.
"That’s going to pay off when we need it in the fall."