Sam Pittman addresses the availability of Dominique Johnson for South Carolina game
Arkansas is continuing to work on returning running back Dominique Johnson to the field this week ahead of Game 2 versus South Carolina. Head coach Sam Pittman opened up about the team’s process for getting Johnson reps this week with the hopes that he can play.
On Monday, the running back from Texas will continue to practice in a green no-contact jersey.
“I hope (he can play),” Pittman said. “I don’t know. We’re going to put him out there this week, today, and see what he can do and if we feel good about it. I felt like we were experimenting with him a little last week, and it was basically, ‘I don’t think he’s going to play’ type experimentation. But we were trying to get him ready for the possibility of playing against South Carolina.”
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“We’re going to amp up his responsibility and reps and see what happens,” Pittman continued. “We will see how we feel about it and more importantly if he feels good about it, he’ll play.”
Johnson led the 2021 Hogs in rushing touchdowns with seven. He was also one of four Razorbacks that rushed for more than 500 yards.
On Saturday versus Cincinnati, Arkansas players rushed for 224 yards, behind leading rusher Raheim Sanders with 117 yards on 20 carries.
Pittman updates Slusher, Catalon status
The Razorbacks escaped the Cincinnati matchup with a win but not without taking some hits. Both starting safeties, Jalen Catalon and Myles Slusher, exited the game early. Pittman provided an update on their status on Monday as the team preps for another home game versus the South Carolina Gamecocks.
Pittman also revealed that starting defensive tackle Isaiah Nichols, who was banged up, will be clear to play by next Saturday.
“Well, we’re not ready, really, to figure out exactly Catalon’s situation, we haven’t, let’s say that I guess,” Pittman shared in his press conference. “Slusher’s in the same boat there, I think Nichols should be fine.”
Over the past two years, Catalon has been one of the most productive defensive backs on the Razorbacks roster. Totaling 145 total tackles, eight pass deflections and five interceptions (one pick-six in 2020), Catalon’s numbers should only improve this year.
As the other starting safety, Myles Slusher is another key member of the Arkansas defense. He totaled 50 tackles last season along with two interceptions and four pass breakups. Prior to that, as a freshman in 2020, he had 15 tackles and a pair of fumble recoveries.