With the sting of the stunning and shocking upset loss to Louisiana-Monroe slowly subsiding -- very slowly -- Arkansas can begin to shift its focus to next weekend’s SEC opener against the No. 1 team in the country Alabama.
The biggest question, aside from how long it will take the Hogs to bounce back from the devastating loss, is whether or not they’ll have their starting quarterback in tow when they take the field to face the defending BcS champs.
Tyler Wilson suffered what was only described at the time as an above-the-shoulder injury in the first half of the home loss to the Sun Belt Conference school. In an update from the school on Wilson condition, UA hinted that the senior suffered either a concussion or concussion-like symptoms and, other than the standard day-to-day, gave no indication as to whether the starter will be available for the Tide.
“Tyler Wilson took a hit to the head and was kept in Little Rock last night for observation,” a statement from head coach John L. Smith read. “His prognosis is good and he will be day-to-day.”
Brandon Allen replaced Wilson at the start of the second half and, while he threw a touchdown pass on his first drive of the third quarter, the Razorbacks could not find the end zone the rest of the game. Allen, who would be expected to start should Wilson be unable to go, completed 2-of-3 passes for 60 yards on that first drive; after that, the redshirt freshman completed just three of his last 16 attempts for a meager 25 yards and an interception.
In other Hogs injury news, cornerback Tevin Mitchell suffered an injury similar to Wilson’s during the loss. Unlike Wilson, however, Smith indicated that it’s unlikely the sophomore will be available Saturday.
“He was kept in Little Rock last night and will probably stay again tonight,” Smith said. “The testing that has been done on Tevin came back favorable for him to recover. He will continue to be monitored and will be doubtful for Saturday.