Sam Pittman provides injury update on trio of Arkansas players

Arkansas picked up a big win over the weekend, snapping a losing skid by taking a first-ever victory over Florida in Gainesville in overtime. But Sam Pittman’s squad suffered a handful of injuries along the way.

One Arkansas player, Ty Washington, is expected to be out for the rest of the year. Three others — wideout Andrew Armstrong, defensive lineman Anthony “Tank” Booker Jr. and offensive lineman Patrick Kutas — are at varying stages of recovery prior to a matchup with Auburn.

“I feel good about Andrew and Tank, probably still a question mark on Kutas. That ankle, even though he’s moving around a little bit, I don’t know how much availability he would have on Saturday. But we’ll just have to wait and see there,” Pittman said on the SEC coaches teleconference on Wednesday.

Armstrong is the leading receiver for the Razorbacks by a wide margin, with 46 catches. The next closest player has 25 receptions. And Armstrong has taken those catches for 623 yards and four touchdowns.

Booker plays consistently on the defensive front for the Razorbacks, and has 1.5 tackles for loss in eight appearances in 2023.

Pittman discussed Washington’s status after the win vs. Florida

Washington left the game and headed to the locker room without his shoulder pads on.

“I don’t think we’ll get Ty back for the year,” coach Sam Pittman said. “I don’t think.”

A handful of others were also injured in the contest, including key offensive lineman Patrick Kutas. Kutas left the game during the second half after he was shaken up.

Meanwhile, Armstong left the game after going down on a catch attempt in the end zone. When he landed, he appeared to hit the back of his head hard against the ground as a defender rolled up on him.

Armstrong went to the locker room on his own power.

“Kutas I think he’ll be back. I don’t know when,” Pittman said. “Armstrong, I think he’ll be back. I don’t know when. And there was three more, I think. I didn’t get an update on Tank. It was some type of lower leg, but I didn’t get an update on him.”

Pittman praises team’s effort in the Swamp

Despite the injuries to players like Ty Washington, the overall mood exiting the game was overwhelmingly positive. Arkansas secured a huge win, its first ever in Gainesville, Fla.

The Razorbacks did so after surrendering an early advantage and letting the Gators get back into the game.

“I think the kids played their butt off,” Pittman said. “Kenny Guiton called a great game. The defense played well. But we just kept fighting. I mean it’s the first time in school history that we’ve beaten Gainesville, the University of Florida in Florida. Big deal. That wasn’t a 2-6 team. We were 0-0 and we’re trying to make a run. But I’m so proud of our football team.”