Taylen Green update, much more as Hogs prepare for No. 8 LSU

FAYETTEVILLE — Quarterback Taylen Green was injured in the fourth quarter against Tennessee, but appears to be on track to face No. 8 LSU on Saturday night.

Sam Pittman provided the latest on Green Wednesday during the SEC Teleconference.

“I have been encouraged about how he’s practiced,” Pittman said. “He’s still not full speed yet. We certainly think there’s a possibility that he can get there. We’ll have to wait and see there. Obviously, we have two more practices and a walk, but I have been encouraged about his progression this week.”

Green has completed 107 of 189 passes for 1,502 yards, 5 touchdowns and 5 interceptions this season. He is second on the team in rushing with 81 carries for 326 yards and four touchdowns. Redshirt freshman Malachi Singleton replaced Green when he had to exit the Tennessee game with an injury. Singleton has completed 10 of 14 passes for 151 yards this season. He has rushed 8 times for 18 yards and 2 touchdowns including the game winner against the Volunteers.

Running back Braylen Russell has seen his stock soar in recent games with an outstanding game against Tennessee. Pittman was asked Wednesday if there is any other true freshman who may be on verge of gaining increased playing time?

“Charlie Collins,” Pittman said. “I think he’s coming on and I think he can help us. I’m trying to think here (of) any other freshmen. I don’t know right now who else that would be in that category. If I’m thinking of the top, Brad Shaw might be another that has played that we feel like can move into a more significant role as well.”

Collins is a defensive end while Shaw is a linebacker. Both were highly recruited prospects with Collins coming from Little Rock Mills.

Pittman also talked about how the open week helped players dealing with varying degrees of injuries. He was asked specifically about running back Ja’Quinden Jackson, but added others.

“Well I think it’s big,” Pittman said. “And (tight end Andreas) Paaske and Taylen Green, we’ve had several. Rodney Hill, hopefully he’ll have a chance to at least be available. All those guys. And of course we haven’t played a whole lot of offensive linemen, so the bumps and bruises and dings that they have, it certainly helps as well and we were very cautious about still having physicality, but getting these guys healthy. Luke Hasz, Ty Washington, there was just a whole bunch of them — Hudson Clark — that we needed to get healthy that weren’t. We’ll be almost, it depends on what Taylen does, but we’ll be just about full strength for the second half of the season.”

Arkansas (4-2, 2-1) and LSU (5-1, 2-0) will kickoff at 6 p.m. on ESPN Saturday night from Razorback Stadium.