KJ Jefferson leaves game vs. Missouri with apparent knee injury

Arkansas quarterback KJ Jefferson left Friday’s rivalry matchup against Missouri with an apparent injury. He scrambled for a long run in the first quarter and, after fumbling the ball, sat on the turf holding his knee.

Jefferson has had an up and down season for Arkansas this year amid the Razorbacks’ struggles on offense. In the early going against Missouri on Friday, he completed both passing attempts for two yards before his ill-fated 22-yard run. He left the field with assistance from the trainers, unable to put weight on his leg.

Jefferson briefly headed to the injury tent, but tested out the leg on the sideline as Missouri went down the field to kick a field goal, according to CBS sideline reporter Amanda Guerra.

“I’ve been watching KJ Jefferson here on the sideline,” Guerra said. “He only spent a couple minutes in the medical tent. After that, he went and got onto the bike. He’s working with the trainers to see how nimble he can be on that left leg. He’s been rubbing the inside of his left shin quite a bit. He is grimacing a lot, but he is running up and down the sideline trying to get loose.

“I was talking to his mom, who said this game is huge for him, and he’s going to do whatever it takes to try to go back in.”

North Carolina transfer Jacolby Criswell came in to replace Jefferson on the ensuing possession. It’s his fourth appearance of the season in relief, and he entered Friday with 47 passing yards and two receptions in an Arkansas uniform.

During his time in Fayetteville, Jefferson has become one of the best quarterbacks in program history. Earlier this year, he became Arkansas’ all-time leader in touchdowns responsible, and the defense ranks No. 5 in SEC passing defense. However, the offense stalled, sitting 12th in the league entering Week 13, and Pittman recently moved to fire offensive coordinator Dan Enos.

At the time of the injury, Missouri held a 7-0 lead over Arkansas in the Battle Line Rivalry game. The Tigers added on to that lead with a Harrison Mevis field goal right after Jefferson’s fumble gave them the ball back, and that made it a 10-0 game.

Friday’s game is pivotal for Sam Pittman and Arkansas, who are one win away from clinching a spot in a bowl game with a 5-7 record entering Rivalry Week.