FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas defensive end Dorian Gerald will not play for the remainder of the 2019 season after straining an artery in his neck during the first half of the Razorbacks' season-opening victory over Portland State on Saturday.
Gerald, a senior who transferred to the Razorbacks from a junior college prior to last season, had won a starting job in the preseason.
"Very strange injury," Arkansas coach Chad Morris said. "He'll be on blood thinner and will be out for the rest of the year. We hope he will be released from the hospital late tonight or tomorrow."
Morris said it is too early to say whether Gerald will be able to play football again. Gerald has a redshirt season available.
"I think it's something we won't know for quite some time," Morris said of a potential end to Gerald's career. He said tests will be conducted over the next "several months."
Senior Jamario Bell is listed as a starter in place of Gerald for the Razorbacks' upcoming game at Ole Miss. Bell suffered a knee injury Saturday but is expected to play at Ole Miss.
Arkansas defensive coordinator John Chavis said Bell brings skill and experience to the position.
"He did a good job for us," Chavis said of Bell's first game. "We had some young kids in there that did as well.
"(Bell) was the next guy up in the game and I don't think that will change."
Morris said starting offensive guard Austin Capps (lower body) is expected to play against Ole Miss after going down with an injury in the second half Saturday, and tight end C.J. O'Grady (knee) will be able to play after missing the season opener. Morris said defensive end Mataio Soli will also play in a cast after fracturing a bone in his hand against Portland State.