FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — The SEC’s midweek injury report system didn’t provide any surprises Wednesday night, but neither Arkansas nor Tennessee came away unscathed.
Both programs listed multiple starters who won’t be available this weekend when the Razorbacks (2–3, 0–1 SEC) visit the Volunteers (4–1, 1–1 SEC) in Knoxville.
For Arkansas, the latest report confirmed what Bobby Petrino already feared in his first week back as interim head coach: a thinning roster at key skill positions.
Razorbacks’ passing attack hit hard
Three wide receivers — Ismael Cisse, Monte Harrison and Jalen Brown — are done for the season.
Cisse, a redshirt sophomore, tore wrist ligaments during a summer workout and never made it to preseason practice.
Harrison, who appeared in the first two games, suffered a broken foot.
“He broke his foot,” then-head coach Sam Pittman said earlier in the season. “He’s going to decide whether he wants surgery or not, but he’s going to be out for a while, if not the season.”
Brown’s injury may sting most. The Stanford transfer had started all five games, catching 12 passes for 167 yards and two touchdowns before breaking his left leg late in the Notre Dame loss.
The fractured tibia and fibula ended what had been a steady rise in Arkansas’ receiving corps.
Petrino said the rotation will now shift. “We’re going to need other guys to step up,” he said Monday. “CJ Brown has played both inside and outside, so if we went today, he’d start at Jalen’s spot and Raylen Sharpe would move inside. We need Courtney Crutchfield to step up.”
Tight end depth also takes a hit
Two more losses came at tight end. Seniors Andreas Paaske and Jeremiah Beck will miss Saturday’s game with undisclosed injuries.
Their absence limits Arkansas’ two-tight-end formations that were a staple during early-season short-yardage packages.
On the defensive side, senior back Quentavius Scandrett and lineman David Oke were also listed as out.
Oke, who dealt with a preseason knee injury, had recently returned to the lineup and appeared in three straight games.
Running back AJ Green was ruled out as well, leaving the Razorbacks short on offensive experience.
Wednesday Arkansas injury report:
OUT — DB Quentavius Scandrett, WR Monte Harrison, WR Ismael Cisse, WR Jalen Brown, RB AJ Green, TE Jeremiah Beck Jr., TE Andreas Paaske, DL David Oke.
Tennessee missing secondary depth
Tennessee’s injury sheet also drew attention. Cornerbacks Rickey Gibson III and Jermod McCoy, along with receiver Radarious Jackson, were ruled out. Tight end Ethan Davis was listed as questionable, giving the Vols some hope for late-week clearance.
The Volunteers’ defensive backfield was already young, and losing Gibson and McCoy limits rotation flexibility against a Razorbacks offense still searching for consistency through the air. Davis, a key red-zone target, caught six passes in his last three appearances before exiting the Mississippi State game with an undisclosed issue.
Wednesday Tennessee injury report:
OUT — DB Rickey Gibson III, DB Jermod McCoy, WR Radarious Jackson.
QUESTIONABLE — TE Ethan Davis.
Depth and adjustments on both sidelines
Arkansas’ injuries are significant not just in number but in timing.
Petrino inherits a 2–3 team with a retooled offensive system and now must improvise around missing receivers and tight ends.
Expect more reliance on short passing and increased backfield usage in the slot.
For Tennessee, the loss of defensive backs could impact coverage schemes. Vols coach Josh Heupel may rotate more zone looks and safety help rather than man coverage against Arkansas’ motion sets.
Both teams face similar problems — depleted depth at critical positions — as they try to stabilize after uneven starts to conference play.
Arkansas hasn’t won in Knoxville since 2015, and Tennessee’s lone SEC victory came against Mississippi State.
The updated injury lists are required by SEC policy every Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday before kickoff. The next report is expected by Saturday morning, but both coaching staffs already know “next-man-up season” has arrived early.
Key takeaways
- Arkansas’ offensive depth is depleted. Three receivers, two tight ends, and a veteran running back are sidelined heading into Knoxville.
- Tennessee’s secondary is short-handed. The Volunteers will miss two defensive backs and possibly a starting tight end.
- Both teams face lineup uncertainty. Adjustments on offense and coverage schemes could decide how the SEC matchup unfolds.
