Injury Update: Arkansas QB departs rivalry game against Missouri in pains
|Arkansas lost its starting signal-caller early in a crucial matchup between rivals.
With what appeared to be a leg injury in the first few minutes of Arkansas’s season finale versus Missouri, quarterback KJ Jefferson was knocked out. Just minutes into the rivalry, the redshirt senior landed awkwardly on his left leg, which was pinned beneath the body of a Missouri defender, during a 22-yard scramble. Jefferson is out for the remainder of the game, according to the CBS broadcast later.
At the moment of the incident, the great quarterback stayed on the turf and began grasping at his left knee. He was assisted by Arkansas’s athletic staff to the sidelines, where he entered the medical tent right away. Later, he tried to extend his leg on the sidelines while riding an exercise bike, but after jogging about and evaluating it, he went back to the tent.
Missouri was able to retrieve the ball after Jefferson actually fumbled during the scramble. With 4:45 remaining in the first quarter, the Tigers took an early 10-0 lead after turning a turnover into a field goal. On Arkansas’ following offensive drive, backup quarterback Jacolby Criswell—who moved to Arkansas from North Carolina during the offseason—entered the game.
With two yards passing and fifteen yards rushing, Jefferson finished the game. This season, he led the Arkansas Razorbacks to a 4-7 record, starting all 12 games and completing 190 passes for 2,107 yards and 19 touchdowns. On 161 carries, the 6-foot-3, 247-pound Jefferson also gained 447 yards and two touchdowns via the air.
Despite signing with Arkansas in 2019, Jefferson’s eligibility is still valid for 2020 because of the pandemic-shortened season.