Arkansas Hurt By Injuries

FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas has spent the past two days coping with the emotional wounds of the 23-21 loss to Ole Miss last Saturday.

But coach Bobby Petrino said the Razorbacks are dealing with plenty of physical pains, too.

Petrino said Arkansas will be without two injured starters — free safety Elton Ford (neck) and offensive guard Grant Cook (knee) — for Saturday’s game against No. 19 Tulsa. Two more starters — defensive end Adrian Davis (knee) and offensive tackle Ray Dominguez (ankle) — are questionable.

All four were injured against the Rebels.

“That’s just something you deal with,” said Petrino, who told reporters Saturday that the injuries were his biggest concern. “That’s part of the game.”

Ford’s injury is the most serious.

The freshman, who is third on the team in tackles (42), will miss the rest of the season because of a neck injury. Petrino called it an “unfortunate” injury because Ford was playing well.

Without him, Arkansas will lean on Matt Harris and Rashaad Johnson at safety. In addition, Petrino said freshman cornerback Tramain Thomas will be get some work at the position.

“Any time you lose a starter it hurts,” Arkansas safety Dallas Washington said about Ford’s absence. “That’s why you have other guys. Someone else has to step up and take care of business.”

Arkansas’ depth also will be tested in the trenches after the injuries to Cook, Davis and Dominguez.

Petrino isn’t sure how long Cook will be out, but DeMarcus Love will return to the lineup. Grant Freeman, who played all but one snap against Florida, will likely get the nod at tackle if Dominguez can’t play because of his tender ankle.

Petrino is hopeful Davis will return, though. The junior started slow, but has four sacks the past three games. Three of them came against Auburn.

Petrino said Davis will be evaluated the rest of the week, but seemed to be “doing real well” Sunday.

If he can’t play, Damario Ambrose will step into the starting lineup for the second time this season.

“I think that’s one thing that happened the other night in the game,” Petrino said. “When guys got hurt other guys came in and stepped up and performed well and played hard. That’s just what we’re going to have to have done again here.”