Sep 8, 2012; Little Rock, AR, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks cornerback Tevin Smith (8) is loaded onto a cart after being injured on a play in the game against the Louisiana Monroe Warhawks at War Memorial Stadium. Warhawks defeated the Razorbacks 34-31. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-US PRESSWIRE
Little Rock, Ark. – Perhaps more crushing than the 34-31 overtime loss to Louisiana-Monroe on Saturday night was the injuries suffered to several key Arkansas Razorback players.
Saturday night Arkansas’ best cover corner, true sophomore Tevin Mitchell, suffered “an above the neck injury” after an accidental helmet to helmet hit by another Arkansas player. As a precautionary measure Mitchell was carted off the field and kept overnight at a Little Rock area hospital for observation.
Mitchell was reported to be able to move around Saturday night listing his condition for Arkansas’ upcoming game against No. 1 Alabama as doubtful.
Adding to the already thin waters in Arkansas’ secondary is Kaelon Kellybrew’s injury. Kellybrew, a senior, was in a battle with fellow senior cornerback Darius Winston for the starting job against Alabama after defensive coordinator Paul Haynes reviewed Arkansas’ game footage against Jacksonville State.
Kellybrew left Saturday’s game with an arm bruise. He is listed as probable for the Crimson Tide game.
Redshirt freshman Kody Walker was bumped up to starting fullback on Thursday of last week after senior fullback Kiero Small suffered a foot injury that required surgery. Small’s status for return is unknown at this time but the leg injury Walker suffered against the Warhawks will keep him off the field the rest of the season.
It is assumed that the Arkansas coaching staff will redshirt Walker again giving him four years to play four starting in 2013.
Senior quarterback Tyler Wilson took a painful shot to the head after dropping back to pass towards the end of the first half Saturday night. That hit proved to be a serious injury on several fronts including Wilson’s ability to play in upcoming games.
Wilson was also kept overnight at a Little Rock area hospital as a precautionary measure. He is listed as day to day with a full recovery and return to action expected. When he will return to action should be flushed out more after Arkansas’ practices on Monday and Tuesday in preparation for Alabama.
CBS Sports scared Razorback Nation after reporting that Wilson had broken his collarbone hours after the end of Arkansas’ upset loss. CBS Sports retracted their statement shortly thereafter.