Sam Pittman addresses first-half absence of Warren Thompson vs. BYU

Arkansas is fresh off a key road win at BYU, winning 52-35 to get to its bye week with a 4-3 record on the season. The Razorbacks managed that win despite the first-half absence of Warren Thompson, a receiver who has rounded out the rotation outside.

Thompson sat out for undisclosed reasons, but coach Sam Pittman addressed his absence on Wednesday during the bye week.

“We just had internal; we had an issue there,” Pittman said. “That was just a discipline deal for a half and he’s ready to go now.”

Thompson ranks fourth on the team in catches among the receivers, having hauled in nine passes for 129 yards and two scores so far this year. He chipped in one catch for seven yards in the win over the Cougars after he entered in the second half.

Whatever the disciplinary issue was, Pittman seemed pleased with how Thompson dealt with things.

“I thought he handled that situation great,” the third-year Razorbacks coach said. “He was excited on the sideline and all that and then went in there. But he’s healthy now and doing well.”

Arkansas using bye week to get healthy

Now that Warren Thompson’s absence against BYU has been explained, Razorbacks fans can breathe a little bit easier. The last thing the team needs right now is any other concerns about players missing time.

The Razorbacks have been thoroughly banged-up this season and the bye week couldn’t have come at a better time. Arkansas needed it.

One player who has yet to suit up this season who could return later in the year is defensive lineman Taurean Carter. Carter has been out since the spring with a knee injury.

“On Taurean Carter, we probably would be fortunate to get him back somewhere around the last two regular season games to maybe as late as the bowl game,” Pittman said on an SEC teleconference call Wednesday. “I think we’ll definitely get him back if we qualify for a bowl, but we’re trying to press for the last couple of games of the year. We’ll see how that works but that would be probably the earliest.”

Arkansas will be back in action after the bye week with a road trip to Auburn on Oct. 29.