Football
Associated Press 17y

Razorback's Harrison likely to miss season opener

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. -- With the season opener a month away,
Arkansas defensive coordinator Reggie Herring wants to be cautious
with defensive tackle Marcus Harrison.

Herring said Monday that Harrison's rehabilitation from a severe
knee injury is going very well, but he balked when asked if
Harrison could play in the Razorbacks' first game, against Troy on
Sept. 1.

"I think he could, but I don't think we want to go there,"
Herring said. "I think that's a stretch."

Herring spoke with reporters before coach Houston Nutt's golf
tournament Monday in Fayetteville. The Razorbacks start fall
practice Saturday.

Arkansas went 10-4 last season and returns several key offensive
starters, including star running back Darren McFadden. But the
Razorbacks' defense has some question marks after defensive lineman
Jamaal Anderson and defensive back Chris Houston were lost to the
NFL draft.

Nutt said he doesn't mind the defense remaining a bit under the
radar at the beginning of the season.

"We lost a good group," Nutt said. "I really like the group
that we have, but we knew they probably weren't going to get much
attention."

Harrison, a senior, is atop the current depth chart at right
defensive tackle. He started five games last season and finished
strong with 1½ sacks in a loss to Wisconsin in the Capital One
Bowl.

Harrison tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee at
a March practice. Herring said he is encouraged by Harrison's
rehabilitation. The expected recovery time was around six months,
but Herring said Harrison has cut that to three or four.

Herring also said linebacker Freddie Fairchild and safety
Michael Grant are back around full speed after their injuries.
Fairchild missed most of last season with a torn ACL, and Grant sat
out the last five games with the same injury.

Nutt's golf tournament was held almost exactly a year after
Razorbacks longtime broadcaster Paul Eells was killed in a car
crash. Eells died last July 31 while on his way back to Little Rock
after participating in the golf event that includes Razorbacks
coaches and media.

Nutt took a moment Monday to remember the beloved "voice of the
Razorbacks."

"I think about Paul Eells today," Nutt said. "A lot of good
thoughts and memories every time you mention his name."

Nutt also gave an update on his brother, Danny Nutt. Danny Nutt
stepped down recently from his position as running backs coach
after a recurrence of bleeding from his brain stem. Tim Horton
replaced him.

Houston Nutt said his brother can walk up to a mile a day now.

"Danny's doing good," Houston Nutt said. "He's getting tired
of sitting in that chair."

^ Back to Top ^