FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas coach Sam Pittman is hopeful all three of his starters who were injured at Mississippi State last week will be able to play Saturday at No. 13 Auburn.
Asked Wednesday on the SEC coaches teleconference about the progress receiver Treylon Burks, running back Rakeem Boyd and cornerback Montaric Brown have made in practice this week, Pittman said he anticipates at least two of the three to be available against the Tigers, but did not specify who might be out.
“They’re fine,” Pittman added. “We hope all three will (be able to play).”
Boyd, Burks and Brown were all injured in the first half of Saturday’s 21-14 win at Mississippi State and did not return to the game.
Boyd rushed eight times for 28 yards prior to leaving the game, and Burks caught one pass on two targets for 10 yards. Brown finished with three solo tackles, including one for lost yardage during the play he was injured.
In their absence, running back Trelon Smith, receiver De’Vion Warren and cornerback Hudson Clark filled in admirably, Pittman said earlier this week. Smith led Arkansas with five receptions for 22 yards and also ran for 48 yards on 14 carries.
“I just told him, 'Keep your head in the game,’” quarterback Feleipe Franks said of Smith. “You never know when your name is going to be called. Just staying prepared and staying ready. Trelon did a great job in pass pro and being able to run the ball.”
Warren, a senior, put together a career game, catching four passes for 100 yards and the second touchdown of his career. And Clark, a redshirt freshman from Highland Park in Dallas, recorded a pair of tackles and helped break up a pass in the end zone.
“I loved him,” Pittman said of Clark. “He played a really good game. Defensive coordinator Barry Odom and cornerbacks coach Sam Carter "were going to play him regardless if someone had gotten hurt or not. He had earned playing time and he was looking really good, and I agreed with them.
“It was nice to see him do some special things and be a huge part of a big win.”