FAYETTEVILLE — Less than 10 seconds into his opening statement Monday, Arkansas coach Sam Pittman spoke on the health of his team.
The Razorbacks, who were off last weekend after a seven-week run to begin the season, had numerous players battling through injuries and others attempting to overcome them. The bye week came at an ideal time.
“I feel like we're healthy as we can be going into this game,” Pittman said of the Razorbacks' game at Auburn on Saturday. “(Auburn is) very talented, but we’re looking forward to going to play.”
No group on the team has been hit with various injuries harder than the secondary. Safety Jalen Catalon and cornerback LaDarrius Bishop are lost for the season, but Pittman is optimistic Arkansas will return multiple players in the back end for the 11 a.m. kickoff against the Tigers.
"We're going to look at (Myles) Slusher (on Monday) in (individual work) and see how well he can progress or how much better he is,” Pittman said. “We feel like he's going to be fine. Khari (Johnson) will be back, and hopefully we can get Malik (Chavis) back no later than tomorrow.
“Hopefully (Latavious) Brini's ankle that has been bothering him for five or six weeks now, hopefully it's healed. We'll know a little bit more about that (soon).”
Pittman added that defensive back Jayden Johnson will be available for Monday’s practice, as well. He, Slusher and Khari Johnson missed the Razorbacks' 52-35 victory at BYU on Oct. 15.
“Getting (a player back) who might be a 1 on your team who you think is (one of) your better players not only just physically out on the field, it helps you as a play caller because you've seen them do it before,” Pittman said. "You trust them a little bit more with guys you've seen than the hope of, ‘I hope we do it well.’”
Along the offensive line, Marcus Henderson (ankle) will not be ready for practice early in the week, Pittman said, but Ty’Kieast Crawford, listed as the backup at right tackle, will work out with the Razorbacks on Monday.
Oklahoma transfer wide receiver Jadon Haselwood said after the Oct. 8 loss at Mississippi State that he was battling a shoulder injury. Pittman said it could be one that bothers him the remainder of the season, but he feels healthier this week.
Haselwood will likely wear a green no-contact jersey in practices.
Pittman also said quarterback KJ Jefferson has dealt with a “nagging” shoulder injury, dating to the days ahead of the Texas A&M game in September. He did not throw passes during the off week.
“I anticipate him being healthy and ready to go,” Pittman said of Jefferson, who threw five touchdowns at BYU.
Pittman added that linebackers Bumper Pool and Drew Sanders “feel better” physically after time off. Pool has battled a hip injury that Pittman has noted has impacted his play at times.
“We didn't do anything physical last week,” Pittman said. “I think we did the right thing. We'll obviously wait to see on Saturday if it is the right call or not. But we feel like it is.”