Hogs shift procedures during open week

FAYETTEVILLE — The Arkansas Razorbacks are regrouping this week through an open date ahead of next week’s home game against No. 4 LSU.

The open date allows Arkansas (2-7, 0-5 Southeastern Conference) to refresh starters and maximize time with young players who will not get to practice in December ahead of a bowl game. The seventh loss on Saturday to Vanderbilt (4-5, 1-4) in Fayetteville eliminated Arkansas from bowl eligibility.

First-year head coach Chad Morris and the maximum number of assists allowed will head to high school games on today and Friday before getting a rare Saturday off.

“We’ve got a chance to get some guys healthy and get their legs back underneath us going nine straight games,” Morris said on Wednesday’s SEC Coaches teleconference.

“Obviously, the grind that’s taken on the team and the depth, we had a chance to come in this week and focus in on ourselves and technique and things we’ve got to get better at. And really diving into the attention of some of our younger players getting in some live work. That’s kind of been our message, so we can come out of this week a little bit more healthy than what we’ve been.”

Senior starting weakside linebacker Dre Greenlaw was sidelined with an ankle injury during the first quarter of the 45-31 loss to Vanderbilt at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Senior Jared Cornelius and senior nickel back Kevin Richardson have also sustained ankle injuries.

“He (Greenlaw) has not practiced this week,” Morris said. “We anticipate him being back for next week. Cornelius will be questionable still. He has not practiced with his ankle as well. Same way with Kevin Richardson.”

Junior running back Devwah Whaley had ankle surgery after a 37-33 loss to Ole Miss on Oct. 13 at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock. Morris said the team had hope Whaley could play again this season in November.

“We think right now with Devwah, it’s still questionable,” Morris said. “We will wait and see on him. He ran a little bit yesterday, so we’ll see how he progresses. That’s kind of where we’re at right now.”

Morris delved deeper into this week’s practice format.

“The starters, we’ve got them out there and got some good work in,” Morris said Wednesday morn-

ing. “Then, we pull them out. We get a lot of good individual kind of fall camp mentality. A fall camp mentality mindset for these young guys, redshirt guys, younger guys that we’ll do some live work with full pads, some scrimmaging and so yesterday was a really good day.

“Today will be a really good day to get that done and get back in here with these guys. We’ll continue that process the rest of the season now that there’s not gonna be any bowl practice. We will continue that a little bit each day as we continue to develop these younger guys.”

A new NCAA rule allows players to play a maximum of four games and still redshirt. True freshman quarterback Connor Noland can play in two of the final three games and still maintain his freshman eligibility.

“We’ve got a few guys that still have a game, possibly two games, underneath them that we would like to see get in and get some game experience,” Morris said. “I know Isaiah Nichols has another game. Noah Gatlin has another game. So, we anticipate these guys getting in and doing some playing.”

Regardless whether they play in the final games, freshman defensive back LaDarrius Bishop, of Ashdown, and freshman defensive end Nicholas Fulwider, of Tyrone, Ga., are among the rookies Morris mentioned getting thorough evaluations in this week’s workouts.

Though he is not using it this week, Morris has ridden a helicopter while recruiting for the Razorback. He said he will especially utilize a helicopter to go from site to site during the high school playoffs stretch this month and into December.

“I’ve used it numerous times,” Morris said. “I’ve used it at SMU in recruiting. You know, it allows you to get into some of the smaller areas and schools. It obviously cuts down on drive time.

“Then, also just the appearance of it, you know. Just being different. In recruiting, it’s all about being on the cutting edge and being different and putting an interest in it. We’ve used it several times.”