Sam Pittman provides update on Dominique Johnson's return from injury

Arkansas running back Dominique Johnson is certainly on track to play for the Razorbacks this season, but head coach Sam Pittman is still not certain when that will be. With the junior running back working back from a leg injury at the end of the 2021 season that required surgery, Pittman still needs to see some work in practice before he can fully assess where Johnson stands in his recovery.

And that’s just what Pittman and his staff will do. After a scrimmage on Saturday, Pittman told reporters that he and the Arkansas coaches will get to gauge where Johnson’s at relative to his peers when he does some work in individual drills next week.

“We’re going to look at him a little bit in indy, starting next week,” Pittman said on Saturday after a scrimmage. “We’ll just see where he is. Big blow to us. I think he’s a great running back. I really do. I think he’s a really good running back. But we’re going to look at him a little bit in some non-contact, see if he can do some things over bags. He’s been doing things in the indoor in his rehab.”

Pittman quipped that he’ll be finding out about Johnson’s recovery progress at about the same time everyone else will.

“I think you’ll probably know as much about it as I do when you come out to practice next week,” Pittman said, “you know what I mean?

Pittman said earlier in the week that Johnson’s return date is still unknown

Johnson had a leg injury at the end of the 2021 season that required surgery in the offseason. 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.