Sam Pittman reveals the latest on KJ Jefferson's availability, potential backup QB plan

Arkansas got banged up during their home loss to Alabama, with a few players going down with injuries. The biggest name is KJ Jefferson, whose status for Saturday’s trip to Starkville to face Mississippi State is in question. It’s a head injury for the star quarterback, as the Razorbacks want to be careful.

Head coach Sam Pittman offered up an update on Jefferson during Wednesday’s SEC coaches teleconference, saying Wednesday could be a deciding factor. Arkansas has a rule under Pittman that a player must practice on Wednesday in order to play on Saturday. At the time of the call, the Razorbacks had not taken the field.

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Even if Jefferson is not able to go, Pittman seems confident in how his backup quarterbacks have performed this week.

“Our quarterbacks have had a really good week of practice,” Pittman said. “Obviously, KJ has not practiced to this point. We still don’t know if he’ll be able to practice today or not. Our rule is you got to practice on Wednesday if we’re going to play him on Saturday. It’s kind of a wait-and-see. To be honest, I don’t know if he’ll be able to practice today or not but there’s a chance he will.”

Pittman said if Jefferson can practice on Wednesday, he “certainly” will. But the head coach was not sure of his status at the time of speaking to the media.

“We waiting to see if he’s able to practice,” said Pittman. “In all honesty, I don’t have that answer right now as we’re sitting here. If he’s able to practice, he’ll certainly practice. If he’s not, then we won’t. That’s certainly not my call but whatever that is, we’ll look at him and go from there.”

Backups ready to go if KJ Jefferson cannot go

If Jefferson is not able to play against Mississippi State, Arkansas will have to look toward their backup quarterbacks to step up. Cade Fortin was the replacement after Jefferson suffered his injury against Alabama but Malik Hornsby is still on the roster.

Pittman said both will be ready and have the chance to play if called upon.

“In our gameplan, there’s certainly opportunities for both those kids to play if KJ can’t” Pittman said.

Fortin completed four of 10 passes on Saturday, throwing for 35 yards. Hornsby has appeared in five games but has not attempted a pass yet.