FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas coach Sam Pittman said Wednesday he expects running back Ja’Quinden Jackson to be listed as doubtful when this week’s first SEC availability report is released.
Speaking on the SEC coaches teleconference about eight hours before the first release of the availability report, Pittman also said he expects running back Rodney Hill to be listed as probable for Saturday’s game at Mississippi State. Hill, who has 78 rushing yards and 1 touchdown on 15 attempts, has not played since a Sept. 28 game against Texas A&M with a knee injury.
“We need him back just because of his toughness and the way that he runs, and hopefully that becomes infectious,” Pittman said.
Jackson is battling an ankle injury that limited him to 26 yards on 5 carries during the Razorbacks’ 34-10 loss to LSU last week. Pittman described Jackson as “very questionable” when he spoke to reporters earlier in the week.
Jackson is Arkansas’ leading rusher with 592 yards and 10 touchdowns on 104 carries, but his production has trailed off in SEC play, with 57 carries for 196 yards and 4 touchdowns in games against Auburn, Texas A&M, Tennessee and LSU.
In other personnel news, Pittman said Patrick Kutas and Keyshawn Blackstock have split practice reps “half and half” at left guard in practice this week. Blackstock moved to left guard prior to the LSU game after starting the first six games at right tackle, and Kutas has not played this season due to a back injury.
“Both of them have played well, but it is a competition,” Pittman said. “We’re going to have to run one of them out there with the [first team]. We’ll figure that out after today and tomorrow’s practice. Both of them have had good weeks.”
Pittman said earlier in the week that the hope is to redshirt Kutas, who can play in four regular-season games without losing that ability. The Razorbacks have five regular-season games remaining.
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