Arkansas quarterback Tyler Wilson was on the practice field yesterday after suffering a head injury and concussion-like symptoms against Louisiana-Monroe on Saturday. According to teammate Chris Smith, “Tyler looked good today… his throws were sharp and everything like that, so he’s going to be ready to go Saturday.”
Not so fast. Head coach John L. Smith admitted that Wilson was “out there on the field today, leading like he should,” but he would not say that his star QB has been cleared to play. “That decision has not been made yet and it’s not in my hands,” the coach said. “I’m keeping my fingers crossed.”
He needs to keep his fingers crossed. Arkansas’ offense went belly-up when Wilson left last weekend’s game. And that was against Louisiana-Monroe, not Nick Saban’s defense.
Meanwhile, another player who suffered an “above the shoulders” injury last Saturday will definitely not play against the Tide. Starting cornerback Tevin Mitchel has had his gall bladder removed. That surgery was “completely unrelated” to injury that left him lying motionless on the field against the Warhawks. Mitchel spent the weekend in a Little Rock hospital.
Without Mitchel, Arkansas will play senior corners Kaeloon Kelleybrew and Darius Winston. Freshman Jared Collins might lose his redshirt and see some action as well.
