Davis Becomes Latest Linebacker In Trouble

FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas already had two linebackers get arrested this offseason, and a third is facing criminal charges stemming from a traffic accident that occurred Tuesday afternoon.

Junior Wendel Davis was arrested and booked into the Washington County Jail at 6:14 p.m. Tuesday on a charge of first-degree criminal mischief. He was released 24 minutes later after posting no bond, according to the jail’s Web site.

Earlier in the day, Davis was taken to Washington Regional Medical Center after he injured his hand when he punched a car that had hit his scooter, according to Gary Crain, the public information officer for the University of Arkansas Police Department.

Crain said Davis was stopped at the intersection of Maple Street and Garland Avenue when he was bumped from behind by another motorist in a car.

“There was no real damage or no injury there, but Wendel got off his scooter and pounded the car to the extent that he injured his hand,” Crain said Tuesday evening.

Crain said Davis caused dents to the car and broke its windshield. Davis was later arrested and is scheduled to appear in Washington County Circuit Court on July 30.

“I’m aware of matters involving Wendel Davis and the other individual involved in the incident. At this point, I am attempting to gather all of the facts regarding the situation,” Arkansas coach Bobby Petrino said Tuesday night in a statement released through the university. “Once those facts have been gathered, we will move forward in an appropriate way.”

Arkansas spokesperson Kevin Trainor said he didn’t know the extent of Davis’ hand injury.

Davis’ incident comes only two days after fellow backup linebacker Freddy Burton was arrested on misdemeanor charges of driving while intoxicated and careless driving. The sophomore was stopped after crossing the center line on Maple Street.

Meanwhile, former Arkansas starting linebacker Freddie Fairchild was kicked off the team June 11 following his arrest in late March on charges he assaulted a girlfriend and prevented her from leaving.

Davis is in the process of rehabbing a serious knee injury that forced him to miss all of spring practice. He was considered a candidate to replace Weston Dacus as Arkansas’ starting middle linebacker before the injury.

Davis was left off the depth chart released by Petrino at the end of spring practice. The junior played in all 13 games last season, starting one and finishing with 39 tackles. He also had one tackle for loss.