2 min read • October 14, 2022
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Arkansas Razorbacks starting quarterback KJ Jefferson is off to a fantastic start to his redshirt junior season. He’s thrown for 1,096 yards and nine touchdowns with one interception. At the same time, he added 312 yards and four touchdowns on the ground. But, the star quarterback missed the Razorback’s last game against Mississippi State because of a head injury.
The injury occurred during an October 1st loss against the Alabama Crimson Tide. Nevertheless, Jefferson is expected to suit up against BYU, his coach Sam Pittman told reporters on Monday. Jefferson has returned to practice this week.
Cade Fortin was named the starter with Jefferson sidelined, and the Razorback’s offense struggled mightily. Fortin was benched after only throwing three passes. Third-string quarterback Malik Hornsby threw for 234 yards and added a touchdown with two interceptions. But Hornsby couldn’t stop the Mississippi State Bulldogs from running over the Razorbacks by over 20 points.
This marks Arkansas’s third straight loss, and the return of Jefferson should give the fans some hope.
Furthermore, defensive back Myles Slusher is questionable with a calf injury. He was pulled from last week’s game after looking sluggish after allowing a 47-yard touchdown.
Jaren Hall is in his second season as the Cougars starting quarterback. He started his fifth year throwing for 1,558 yards averaging 8.3 yards per attempt. He’s also thrown 14 touchdowns with only two interceptions. Hall is having a career year. But a sloppy game last week has raised questions about a shoulder injury that’s plagued him in practice.
In last week’s game, Hall threw a career-low 17 passes and threw his only two interceptions of the year. The second interception was a huge red flag because the ball was severely underthrown.
But it’s possible Hall could just have had a bad game. So, this is what his head coach told reporters about his injury status, “he’s got no choice (but to play). He must go. This is midseason football, so he’s gotta be ready to roll.” His coach didn’t deny or confirm the injury. Nevertheless, he showed how much the Cougars rely on Hall.
Hall even said this after the game, “Contrary to popular belief, and there’s no shoulder injury. I feel good.”
Hall may have a minor shoulder sprain, but he’s playing through injury to give the team its best shot to win.
Hall’s injury is something to monitor against a formidable SEC opponent.
Gunner Romney is one of the three starting wide receivers for the Cougars. But, after suffering a lacerated kidney during fall camp, Romney and the Cougars must be extra careful. When the injury happened in fall camp, Romney ended up in the hospital for eight days with internal bleeding from the lacerated kidney.
Romney faced another scare during BYU’s loss to Notre Dame after he had to go to the hospital after having “complications” following the game. The visit was considered precautionary, and Romney has returned to campus. He is expected to start this week without any setbacks.
BYU is favored by 1.5 points at home against Arkansas and the over/under is 65.5, according to FanDuel Sportsbook.
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KJ Jefferson back in practice this week
