TAT: Allen's Status for Rutgers Still Uncertain

This article originally appeared on September 16, 2013 on The Arkansas Traveler website, uatrav.com.

Sophomore quarterback Brandon Allen’s status is still uncertain for Saturday’s game against Rutgers, head coach Bret Bielema said at his Monday press conference.

Allen left the Southern Miss game in the first quarter after running for a five-yard touchdown and falling on his right shoulder.

There is no structural damage, so “it’s just a matter of how fast his body can heal,” Bielema said.

If Allen cannot play, junior AJ Derby will be the starter, with Brandon’s younger brother, true freshman Austin Allen, and junior wide receiver Brian Buehner receiving snaps in practice.

Despite Derby passing for only 36 yards against Southern Miss, Bielema said he was pleased with his performance.

“I’m excited for AJ. I’ve known him for a long time and he’s a tremendous competitor,” Bielema said. “For him to come in and play the way he did, especially after watching it on film, (was great).”

True freshman offensive tackle Denver Kirkland also had to step into the game after sophomore Grady Ollison left with an injury.

With two second-team players stepping into the first team, Arkansas was in a similar situation as the week before, when they had to fill in for junior defensive end Trey Flowers, senior linebacker Jarrett Lake and sophomore safety Rohan Gaines.

This forced freshman Brandon Lewis, junior Braylon Mitchell and junior Martrell Spaight into starting roles. Junior Alan Turner also had to step into the starting safety position.

“Last week, I had praised those three defensive guys that stepped in. The difference is those guys knew it all week,” Bielema said. “Kirkland and Derby prepared as backups all week, then had to jump in as a starter when the other guy went down.”

Ollison should return to practice Tuesday and there is a “good chance” freshman cornerback Jared Collins will return this week after collapsing on the sideline because of an injury, coupled with the heat, in Saturday’s game, Bielema said.

Senior tight end Austin Tate and sophomore linebacker Otha Peters will also participate in full-contact practice this week and can play Saturday, after missing the first three games with a shoulder injury and broken arm, respectively.

However, sophomore wide receiver D’Arthur Cowan will not play. He is out of the boot that he wore after suffering a foot injury in practice before the season and will get an x-ray Sunday. Bielema said he hopes to get Cowan back at practice next week.

“If we can get him for the first few games in SEC (play), he’d be a nice addition to have,” Bielema said.

After re-aggravating a hamstring injury in the Louisiana game, sophomore wide receiver Keon Hatcher should be back this week, as well.

Gaines will start practicing with the team this week and will travel with the team to Rutgers, but his playing time is not guaranteed.

“Turner is playing really well. It’s going to be tough (for Gaines) to get back out there right now,” Bielema said.

The Razorbacks play Rutgers in Piscataway, N.J., Saturday at 2:30 p.m. The game will be televised nationally on ESPN.