Calloway, Tutt to miss game
FAYETTEVILLE Cornerback and kickoff returner now supplants Arkansas' offensive line as missing personnel challenged.
Going into their SEC opener Saturday as 30-point underdogs at nationally No. 9 Auburn, the 1-2 Razorbacks at one corner are without opening season starter Chevin Calloway and Britto Tutt, the starter in Calloway's place in last Saturday's 44-17 loss to North Texas.
Calloway missed the North Texas game because of "a family issue he's dealing with," and will miss Saturday's game, too, Arkansas coach Chad Morris said.
Tutt was injured during
last Saturday's game and "he will be out for a few weeks," Morris said before the Razorbacks practiced Wednesday.
Tutt also was the No. 3 kickoff returner to D'Vion Warren, the 100-yard kick return touchdown man in last year's 52-20 Auburn victory and Gary Cross.
Warren and Cross are both injured and "doubtful" for Saturday.
Deon Stewart, last year's kick returner, was in a green limited practice jersey Wednesday.
Redshirt freshmen Montaric "Buster" Brown and Jarques McClellion appear to be the next men up on the corner opposite junior mainstay Ryan Pulley.
Sophomore strong safety Kamren Curl started at corner last year after Pulley's season-ending injury.
"We have discussed everything in staff meetings," Morris said of position moves. "Right now he's playing well at his position. You hate to do that (move Curl) at this point right now."
The secondary and linebacker spots did get some good news Wednesday.
Sixth year nickel back Kevin Richardson, Arkansas' most versatile DB who has played every position during a career that was granted an extra year because of medical hardships, and senior first-team weakside linebacker Dre Greenlaw both should play against Auburn, Morris said Wednesday.
Richardson just recently returned to limited drills after breaking his foot moving furniture just before the August preseason practices began. However, he practiced Wednesday full go. Greenlaw, out since spraining an ankle during his 10-tackle first quarter in the 55-20 season-opening victory over Eastern Illinois, has been on green jersey limited practice duty this week, but as a four-year starter certainly can step in if close to full speed.
"We expect both of those guys to travel and play this week," Morris said.
Fourth-year junior left tackle Colton Jackson, going through his first full practice in pads since July back surgery and playing 26 snaps last Saturday off the bench, was in full gear Wednesday, but watching the first 20 minutes that media can view.
Jackson likely will alternately practice and refresh leading into his first start since last season.
Redshirt freshman Dalton Wagner did the first team left tackle work the first 20 minutes. True freshman Noah Gatlin of Jonesboro has started the last two games, but ideally most freshmen offensive linemen redshirt.
Under new NCAA rules, a player can play a maximum four games and retain his present eligibility into the next season.
Senior center Hjalte Froholdt, the starting left guard the previous two seasons, again started practice at left guard.
Sophomore Ty Clary, last week's starting left guard, opened at center, the position he played last spring.
"We're trying to find the best five combination on the field," Morris said. "We're cross training for depth purposes as well."
Morris was asked how fourth-junior quarterback Ty Storey responded in practice this week to being named the starter.
"He's done really well," Morris said Wednesday. "He had a very good day yesterday (Tuesday). All those guys did. He knows he is the guy and in charge out there leading. We had a very good offensive day yesterday."
The Northwest Arkansas Touchdown Club timed their speaking schedule well with former Tulsa coach Todd Graham addressing the club's Wednesday luncheon.
Graham, a former high school coach in Texas, hired longtime Texas high school coach Morris to be his Tulsa offensive coordinator after having current Auburn coach Gus Malzahn as his offensive coordinator before Malzahn became the Auburn offensive coordinator.