Johnson misses practice again, questionable for game against Mocs

Arkansas flanker Robert Johnson sat out of practice again Thursday and his status is questionable for the Razorbacks’ game against Tennessee-Chattanooga on Saturday at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock.

Johnson wore a protective boot on his right leg for the second consecutive day after injuring his ankle last week. Arkansas trainer Dean Weber advised Nutt to hold the wideout out of Thursday’s workout.

“We’ll wait and see how he is feeling by Saturday,” Nutt said. “Dean thought it would be better to hold him again today. He’s pretty optimistic about it. We’ll see. I’d rather him play. But you have to deal with what you have.”

Johnson, a 6-foot 2, 209-pound senior, equaled a career-high in receptions in Arkansas’ 66-7 victory over North Texas last Saturday. Against the Mean Green, he made four catches for 71 yards and scored his first touchdown as a receiver. Sophomore Reggie Fish or redshirt freshman Carlton Salters would start in Johnson’s place if he is not cleared to play.

The Razorbacks have already had issues with depth in the receiving corps. Senior Marcus Monk suffered cartilage damage in his right knee in the preseason and has missed every game since the start of the season. Freshman Crosby Tuck, meanwhile, broke his right elbow during Arkansas’ 42-29 loss to Kentucky on Sept. 22.

“We’re in good shape,” Arkansas receivers coach Alex Wood insisted. “We see a little fatigue. But our guys are in good shape. I feel good about it.”

Filed under: Arkansas Football by Rainer Sabin. Posted on: October 4, 2007 at 6:02 pm