Forget what may or may not happen between a certain College Station institution of higher learning and the SEC in the future; the biggest on-field news in the here and now for the conference involves a current member in Fayetteville.
According to multiple media outlets, Arkansas running back Knile Davis suffered an injury of unknown severity to his left leg during the seventh play of a scrimmage Thursday. The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reports that the injury is to Davis’ ankle, although there are unconfirmed -- repeat, unconfirmed -- reports that the injury could be to the ACL. The junior captain apparently had gotten his leg rolled up on in a pile at the end of a running play and let out a scream “so loud it will haunt us in our dreams” before collapsing to the ground.
Davis was prone on the field for several minutes while being tended to by school medical personnel. He could not put any weight on his left leg, and left the field on a cart.
Head coach Bobby Petrino was not scheduled to meet with the press following the scrimmage, so the extent and severity of the injury is unknown and not yet confirmed by anyone officially connected to the football program. While the offensive coordinator and some players did speak afterwards, none would or could address Davis’ injury or his status.
We’re expecting an update on Davis’ condition either late tonight (unlikely) or at some point Friday (more likely).
If the injury to Davis is indeed serious -- and the general sentiment seems to be pointing in that direction -- it would be a significant and devastating blow to a Razorback team looking to challenge Alabama and LSU for SEC West supremacy in 2011. In 2010, Davis led the conference in rushing with over 1,300 yards, and is viewed as a darkhorse Heisman candidate this preseason.
With Arkansas replacing Ryan Mallett under center with Tyler Wilson -- probably -- Davis’ experience and talent were going to be that much more important for the Razorbacks and their chances for taking a step to the next level this season. It’s not fair to say those chances would be shot if Davis were to miss most or all of the season; it would be fair to say the chance to accomplish those goals get a whole helluva lot more difficult with a Davis-less squad.