Arkansas playing it safe with Jefferson

FAYETTEVILLE — Alabama’s Bryce Younger wasn’t the one quarterback injured final Saturday at Reynolds Razorback Stadium.

Arkansas quarterback KJ Jefferson additionally didn’t end the SEC West sport that the Crimson Tide gained 49-26.

The Heisman Trophy winner Younger had the CBS eye targeted on him throughout and after his second-quarter exit with what Alabama Coach Nick Saban postgame referred to as “a bit of AC sprain in his shoulder.”

Given Younger’s prowess, it’s apparent why CBS telecasting the sport plus media thereafter paid a lot consideration to Younger’s absence after he overcame a primary collection interception to stake the Crimson Tide to a 21-0 lead of its eventual 28-7 first half.

No large deal, it appeared, when reserve Cade Fortin reasonably than Jefferson quarterbacked Arkansas’ last two collection beginning at 6:55 within the fourth quarter.

After third-quarter rallying to down simply 28-23, the Hogs helplessly noticed Alabama run away with the sport within the fourth quarter. Down 49-26, it appeared pure that Coach Sam Pittman spare Jefferson from absorbing pointless contact with Arkansas needing to regroup for subsequent Saturday’s SEC West sport at Mississippi State.

Seems Jefferson already had taken a too arduous knock.

“He hit his head,” Pittman mentioned postgame “I don’t know [medically] the place he’s at to be sincere with you. Clearly, we didn’t carry him again in. I don’t know any greater than that.”

The Razorbacks, 3-2 total and 1-2 within the SEC, desperately want their quarterback and captain Saturday in Starkville, Miss. towards the 4-1, 1-1 Bulldogs, who’re contemporary off beating 42-24 the identical Texas A&M Aggies that dropped Arkansas 23-21 the earlier Saturday.

Sure, Arkansas wants Jefferson. However current years all through soccer research noting too usually these with head accidents have been put again in video games too quickly with lingering results places his well being first.

Greater than ever it appears after final week within the NFL.

Miami Dolphins and former Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa stayed within the Sept. 24 sport vs. Cincinnati after a couple of performs off analysis from taking a blow to the top. Final Thursday vs. Buffalo, Tagovailoa was borne off the sector on a stretcher and for a time hospitalized after once more hitting his head on the turf.

Ensuing nationwide controversy arguing that Tagovailoa shouldn’t have continued enjoying Sunday and shouldn’t have performed Thursday reignites concussion alarms.

Anticipate Jefferson to be evaluated completely and each day relating to his standing for Saturday’s 11 a.m. Central sport in Starkville.

Fortin, a senior switch beforehand enjoying at North Carolina and the College of South Florida, and throughout the season promoted over junior returning backup quarterback Malik Hornsby, Pittman mentioned, accomplished 4 of 10 passes for 35 yards and netted 9 yards on 1 carry for two collection in a misplaced trigger.

Clearly the Razorbacks stand a greater probability Saturday in Starkville with the dual-threat quarterback who final season directed their 9-4 marketing campaign.

However higher taking their probabilities on their backup than probability the way forward for their shining star until Jefferson passes stringent testing.