🏈 Arkansas RB Williams injured

[NickelDoubleDog]

Foot injury. Needs surgery.

Will miss a significant portion of 2015 season.

Given the wording, he may not be back for the Alabama game, though I'll bet that's the target date.

 

[BAMANEWSBOT]

Arkansas RB Williams out for 'extended period'

Arkansas announced on Sunday that senior running back Jonathan Williams will miss "an extended period of time" with a foot injury. The injury took place during a scrimmage on Saturday and will require surgery.

“I have no doubt that Jonathan will come back stronger than ever. Anyone that knows Jonathan Williams knows this is just another opportunity for him to prove the man of character and substance that he really is,” said coach Bret Bielema in a school release.

“It's an unfortunate injury to a great young man, but we are in the process of gathering as much information as possible. There are short and long term impacts of how he proceeds and we want to make sure he does what's best for him and his family, and his career beyond Arkansas.”

Here are three things to know about Williams' injury and how it will affect the Razorbacks.

1. Williams was Arkansas' leading rusher last season: The Hogs' offense is built on a couple of different, but related principles: control the clock, maul the opposing defense with a physical run game. No Razorback ran over defenses for more yards last season than Williams, as he finished 2014 with 1,190 yards and 12 touchdowns. The only three backs to rush for more yards in the SEC last season were Auburn's Cameron Artis-Payne, Georgia's Nick Chubb and Mississippi State's Josh Robinson.

2. While losing Williams is a blow, the Hogs still have Alex Collins: Williams may have led Arkansas in rushing last year, but as with any team coached by Bret Bielema, he wasn't the only guy carrying a heavy load. Alex Collins was right on Williams' heels, finishing 2014 with 1,100 and 12 touchdowns of his own. Collins had 204 carries to Williams' 211 last year, and while the former five-star recruit will step into the featured role while Williams is out, he'll likely continue sharing the load while Williams recovers.

3. The missed time could hurt Williams' NFL Draft stock: Just earlier this week, CBS Sports NFL Draft expert Dane Brugler wrote that Williams would enter the 2015 season "as one of the top senior running backs on the NFL's radar." According to CBS Sports' projections, Williams would have been a second or third round pick in the draft next spring. But now with this injury, it's hard to know how it could affect his status going forward.

On the one hand, NFL teams might like the fact that Williams won't add another 200+ carries to his career tally this season. On the other, a foot injury will likely scare off some teams, and if Williams is unable to return to the field in 2015, that will only hurt his stock further.


Continue reading...

 

[bcracker]

I hope he's back for that game and at full strenght. I want to see Alabama play every team at their best.

How many yards did he get on last year's defense? I know it was less than 100.

 

[Tidestalker]

That's too bad. I have to admit I didn't know they had another RB with that many yards... I know Alex Collins is an absolute stud though

 

[BlackPawnMartyr]

Damn that sucks i always really enjoyed watching him play.

Sounds like Alex Collins will be a beast this year in CF fantasy.

 

[NickelDoubleDog]

That's too bad. I have to admit I didn't know they had another RB with that many yards... I know Alex Collins is an absolute stud though

Collins is excellent, but every time I watched them, Williams was the starter over Collins.

Korliss Marshall transferred to FCS this off-season too - Bielema raved about him last year calling him the most explosive player he's ever coached.

 

[BamaFan334]

Sad news. Hopeful for a quick recovery.

 

[UAgrad93]

Overweight Butthead announced this morning that Williams will miss the ENTIRE season.

 

[Rolltide24]

Overweight Butthead announced this morning that Williams will miss the ENTIRE season.

Man, I really hate to hear that. Arky will still be very tough. But I hate it for this young man. He is a hoss on on te field.

 

[Sauron]

Williams was their bellcow in the Alabama game ... he accounted for 83 of their 89 rushing yards, with 20 carries.

Collins had six carries for 13 yards.

 

[Che Boludo]

Collins is excellent, but every time I watched them, Williams was the starter over Collins.

Korliss Marshall transferred to FCS this off-season too - Bielema raved about him last year calling him the most explosive player he's ever coached.

Their freshman Rawleigh Williams has been hyped all summer and has lived up to it so far in camp. Lots of positive things about him from coaches and players.

He cranked out 100+ yards in the first scrimmage. Just a scrimmage stat, but could be a positive one for a guy that already rumored to compete for playing time this year even with two 1000 yd backs on the team.

They also have that big 260 pound plus back, Walker. He was running 3rd team TB in Spring but is built like a FB

Should be interesting, especially if Collins' attitude gets him back in the doghouse with CBB.

I'm rolling my college fantasy football dice with R. Williams. I think he gets plenty of carries, especially in the small games.