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Sam Pittman provides health update on Arkansas running back Dominique Johnson

Nikki Chavanelleby:Nikki Chavanelle•08/03/22•

NikkiChavanelle

Ahead of the Arkansas Razorbacks‘ first fall camp practice on Friday, head coach Sam Pittman met with the media to preview the squad heading into the month of August. Notably, Pittman provided an update on returning running back Dominique Johnson.

Johnson had a leg injury at the end of the 2021 season that required surgery in the offseason. However, his rehab is moving along and Pittman believes he can participate this week. It’s still unclear whether he’ll be ready to go for the season opener versus the Cincinnati Bearcats.

“I feel like he’ll be able to do some things,” Pittman said Wednesday, via Mason Choate. “Maybe not the first week as far as team-oriented things. He’s progressing well. Ahead of schedule. I don’t know if we will have him for the Cincinnati game or not.”

Johnson was just one part of a four-headed rushing attack for the Razorbacks last season. Quarterback KJ Jefferson led all rushers with 664 yards, followed by new TCU transfer Trelon Smith, returner Raheim Sanders and Johnson. The Hogs also had three more players register 100+ rushing yards.

Johnson rushed for 575 yards on 95 carries with 7 touchdowns in 2021. His 5.9 yards per carry average was the best among the team’s leading rushers. He posted his first career 100+ yard rushing game versus Mississippi State with 17 carries and two scores.

Dominique Johnson signed with Arkansas in the 2020 class. He was committed to Missouri until signing day when he flipped to the Razorbacks. He was a three-star prospect, according to the On3 Consensus.

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Pittman to start returning RB Raheim Sanders

Regardless of Dominique Johnson’s health status on Sept. 3, Sam Pittman knows which running back will start versus Cincinnati. The Hogs return sophomore back Raheim ‘Rocket’ Sanders and Pittman has thrown all his weight behind the speedy Florida native.

“If Rocket is fresh, he’s probably going to get the majority of the carries,” Pittman said on Wednesday.

Last season, Sanders rushed for 578 yards on 114 carries with five touchdowns. He also added 109 yards and a touchdown on 11 receptions. He had 18 carries with 10+ yards and three for more than 20 yards.