Arkansas Business

This story is from the archives of ArkansasSports360.com.

FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas running back Dennis Johnson is out indefinitely after undergoing surgery to repair “a bowel injury.”

Coach Bobby Petrino said he is “encouraged” by reports he’s gotten about Johnson following surgery, but there is “no timetable” on when Johnson might return. He underwent surgery in Little Rock over the weekend and Petrino said he is “very, very concerned about Dennis.”

Johnson, the UA career leader in kick return yardage and a preseason Doak Walker Award watch list candidate, left the game after a second-half kickoff return. He averaged 9.2 yards per rushing attempt over the first two games, including a 49-yard run in the opener against Tennessee Tech.

“We’re just thinking about his health,” Petrino said. “Hopefully, he’ll improve. He’s doing well. He was up walking. They’ve got him up walking. He’s very, very sore from the surgery. We’re encouraged by everything the doctors are telling us on how he’s doing health wise.”

Johnson has been one of the program’s most productive backs when called upon the last two seasons. He’s averaged 6.2 yards per carry and ran for a career-high 127 yards in the 2008 LSU game.

Johnson’s absence will be most felt with Arkansas' kick returns. He accumulated 2,014 yards and two touchdowns over 27 games.

Wide receivers Cobi Hamilton and Maudrecus Humphrey are capable kick return candidates. Petrino said Broderick Green could also be used if needed.

Running back is thought to be one of the Razorbacks’ deepest positions. Petrino has said on several occasions that Green, Knile Davis and Ronnie Wingo are capable of starting.

Should Arkansas need additional bodies in the backfield, receiver De’Anthony Curtis — a former tailback — and fullback Van Stumon could see time there.

Arkansas has yet to establish its running game this year. It’s been an area of concern for the Razorbacks, who enter Southeastern Conference play Saturday at Georgia.

Davis leads the team in yards per game (43.0), Johnson topped the group in yards per carry (9.2) and Green has a team-high in rushing attempts (21).

PREPARING FOR THE WORST
Georgia wide receiver A.J. Green is serving a four-game suspension for selling a jersey to an agent. The NCAA set the suspension but is reportedly going to reconsider the situation Tuesday.