Sam Pittman provides the latest update on Raheim Sanders, Anthony Booker

Ahead of a big game in the Battle for the Boot against LSU, Arkansas head coach Sam Pittman shared an update on the health of star running back Raheim “Rocket” Sanders. With just a few days until game day in Baton Rouge, things aren’t looking promising for Sanders.

While he is progressing faster than Pittman might’ve expected, that may not be enough to be ready for Saturday. As of Wednesday on the SEC coaches teleconference, Pittman didn’t know whether Sanders would be available or not on Saturday.

“I don’t have an update on his status. But I can tell that he’s ran really well. Ran well yesterday and is progressing faster than what I thought he might. But I don’t know whether he’ll be able to play or not,” Pittman said.

Sanders has been dealing with a knee injury since the Sunday following Arkansas’ season opener. He has not played in the last few contests for the Razorbacks as he dealt with swelling and recovery.

Pittman also offered an update on defensive lineman Anthony “Tank” Booker, too.

Booker is dealing with some knee soreness, Pittman said, but should be back in practice at full speed on Wednesday.

“He’s going to practice today. Those knees are sore and he’s had problems in the past with them. But he’ll be full-go today at practice,” Pittman said.

Sanders’ knee injury first cropped up the Sunday after the opener

Sanders didn’t say anything bothered him until that Sunday when the swelling occurred. His workload in the opener, 15 carries and a pair of receptions for 38 total yards and a pair of touchdowns, wasn’t particularly out of the ordinary.

“I don’t think it played any impact on him. I do believe that yes, that it happened during the game. Was a little bit of swelling on Sunday. Obviously didn’t say anything about it until Sunday when the swelling came up. But, it could’ve impacted him. But with him not saying anything until Sunday, I would assume that it didn’t and again, I don’t know exactly what’s going to happen with him at this moment. I think I’ll know more this afternoon,” Pittman said in early September.

Pittman, at that point, was uncertain if Sanders would be available for Week 2 and Week 3 — he ultimately was not available. With SEC play now arriving, Pittman and Co. will want to get the star running back into the lineup as soon as possible.