Sam Pittman provides latest injury update on Devon Manuel

The Arkansas Razorbacks (2-1) take on their rivals, the LSU Tigers (2-1) this weekend. It’s a game that means plenty to their program, but even more to the players on their roster from the state of Louisiana. The Hogs have been awaiting the return of their redshirt sophomore offensive lineman, Devon Manuel.

He’s been recovering from a stinger, and the Hogs need him back in the lineup. In his Wednesday press conference, Arkansas head football coach Sam Pittman updated the status of Manuel a few days before their showdown with the Tigers.

“I don’t know. He’s practiced on the first two days, but in my opinion, he’s yet to let it go,” Pittman began. “He’s gotta let it go and get back to where he as to help us. And so, I don’t know if he’ll be available full speed or not and if he won’t, then we won’t play him unless he’s full speed. So, he’s not as of today. We’ll have to figure that out.”

Is there extra motivation for Manuel to get healthy for this week since the Razorbacks are taking on LSU on Saturday?

“Absolutely, Tray. He wants to play. I want him to play,” Pittman continued. All those things. He’s trying his butt off. He’s just, still, a little more beat up than what I was hoping that he would be. That’s why I’m not giving up on him this week because I know how bad he wants to be out there. However, he’s just not fully healthy, yet.”

“A non-fully healthy guy, we’ve got one that would be better than him on the field, if he’s not healthy. Hopefully, he’ll be better today. We’ve still got a lot of time, so, I’m banking on him being ready to play, but he hasn’t to this point,” Pittman said on Wednesday.

Arkansas is coming off a gut-wrenching loss to the BYU Cougars last week. The Hogs lost 38-31 despite outgaining BYU in total yards, 424-281. The Razorbacks drove inside the BYU 20-yard line in the final 20 seconds of the game, but the drive failed due to four penalties, including one on the final play to end the game.

Arkansas will take on Jayden Daniels and No. 12 LSU this Saturday, Sept. 23rd. The game will be played under the lights in Baton Rouge, Louisiana in Tiger Stadium. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. EST. The game will be nationally televised by ESPN. According to FanDuel, LSU is currently favored by 17.5 points.