While Arkansas will get a starting member of its offense back for the spring -- somewhat -- a player on the other side of the ball is not nearly as fortunate.
Head coach Bobby Petrino confirmed in a release issued Wednesday afternoon that linebacker Alonzo Highsmith will miss all of spring practice after sustaining an injury to his left pec. The injury occurred on Tuesday, one day before the first of 15 spring sessions.
The school did not reveal how the injury occurred.
“I am extremely disappointed for Alonzo,” Petrino said in the release. “He had an impressive first year for us and I know he had high expectations for himself this spring. Alonzo has demonstrated he is a leader on our team and the coaching staff expects him to continue to be a strong part of building our defense.”
The school also didn’t state whether surgery will be necessary or the impact the injury will have on his availability for the start of summer camp -- or the 2012 season itself.
After transferring to the Razorbacks from Phoenix College, Highsmith started 13 games for the Hogs in 2011. Highsmith led the team with 12.5 tackles for loss -- a total that was 10th in the SEC -- and his 4.5 sacks were good for second on the team.
He finished third on the team with 80 tackles.