Category: Hogs in NFL

Burks luckily avoids major knee injury before season

Former Hog Treylon Burks avoinds major injury after being carted off the field last week.

Things got a little scary for former Arkansas wide receiver Treylon Burks last week, as he was carted off the practice field with a left knee injury. Fortunately, the Tennessee Tians announced this weekend that there was no structural damage, but his return is still unknown.

“I don’t think it’s going to be a long-term thing,” Head Coach Mike Vrabel said. “I’m not putting a timetable on it, but I think it was a best-case scenario.”

The injury came during the second day of joint practices with the Minnesota Vikings, as Burks fell to the ground after stumbling to catch a deep pass in a one-on-one drill, He needed assistance to get off the field after limping to his feet and clutching his knee.

Citing unidentified sources, the NFL Network reported Burks sprained his lateral collateral ligament (LCL) and will be sidelined for at least two weeks. which would have him back in time for the Titans season-opener at New Orleans on Sept. 10.

The LCL stretches along the outside of the knee, from the femur to the fibula. When there is no structural damage, rest and rehab are the only courses of action.

“The LCL is very important for stability of the knee, especially a player who plays like a receiver,” explained orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Clint Soppe. “When they’re cutting, if they’re especially cutting to the outside, that’s when that ligament gets very tight. So it’s very important for an athlete like Treylon who’s high-speed and making a lot of athletic cuts and maneuvers.”

The 6-foot-2, 225-pound Burks is in his second season with the Titans after being selected in the first-round of the 2021 NFL Draft — 18th overall. He appeared in just 11 games as a rookie, due to a stint on injured reserve with turf toe. He still caught 33 passes for 444 receiving yards and one receiving touchdown.

The Warren product left Arkansas following his junior season, cementing a legacy as one of the greatest receivers in school history. He finished his career with 146 receptions for 2,399 yards and 18 receiving touchdowns, while being named a three-time All-SEC performer, including a first-team nod in 2021.

He also set a school record with six 100-yard games during his final season.

Former Hog Froholdt slated as starting center in Arizona

Former Razorback Hjalte Froholdt may finally become a regular starter in his fifth NFL season.

Former Arkansas offensive lineman Hjalte Froholdt may finally be getting his breakthrough opportunity in the NFL Although he has just six starts during his four-year professional career, he is currently listed as the Arizona Cardinals’ starting center.

The 6-foot-5, 310-pound Denmark native was named one of  the NFL’s “Secret Superstars” by Touchdown Wire managing editor Doug Farrarin, following last week’s first preseason game, an 18-17 win over Denver. Froholdt’s solid pass protection up front and strong run-blocking, definitely helped secure his grip on — not only making the team — but being their opening-day starter.

A viral on-line video from the game shows a highlight of the big Dane destroying Broncos’ defensive lineman Zach Allen, then blasting cornerback Damarri Mathis on a screen pass.

After stints with the Patriots, Texans and Browns, Froholdt signed with the Cardinals in March, and seems to have found a home. Not a whole lot was expected from him when he inked the two-year deal, but he has since participated as their starting center the entire offseason.

“So far, I’m happy with where my preparation has been,” Froholdt said with a big grin. “I think that’s one of my main points, just how can I can be good for Sunday? What do I need to do to, not only to prep for the game, but physically prep, mentally prep? I’ve enjoyed it so far. I’m just ready to kick off the season.”

Froholdt arrived at Arkansas in 2015, out of Florida’s IMG Academy, where he was a highly-touted 4-Star defensive lineman. He played on the Razorbacks’ defensive front throughout his freshman season, before flipping to offensive line in 2016. He was at left guard for all 13 games of his sophomore season, then all 12 games as a junior, when he went the entire season without allowing a sack. As a senior, he played three games at center, before moving back to left guard.

Froholdt was selected in the fourth round of the 2019 draft by New England, becoming the first Danish-born position player ever selected in any professional football draft. In 1982, Hall of Fame specialist kicker Morten Andersen, a fellow Dane, was taken a little higher in the fourth round than his countryman. Andersen was drafted by New Orleans, where he remained for 13 of his 25 seasons, before retiring as the NFL’s all-time leading scorer.

Always grateful for the opportunities he has been given in this country, Froholdt still remains faithful to his home land.

“It’s been fun, and I take a lot of pride in going out there and representing Denmark to the best of my ability,” he said. “Hopefully, shine some light on football, so you will have some little kids wanting to play football over there.”

He relishes the opportunity to be the face of the sport in Denmark, where he already has a number of native fans.

“It’s cool to see kids (Direct Messaging) me and saying, ‘I’ve seen you and my dream is to be an NFL player’,” he said. “That’s just so cool.”

Froholdt and his wife — the former Razorback softball standout Ashley Diaz — are expecting their first child any day now..

Former Hog Peters hoping for 20th NFL season

Jason Peters is hoping that a NFL team gives him one more look before he decides to call it a career.

Jason Peters will likely be one of the next former Arkansas Razorbacks elected into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, after spending the past two decades as one of the game’s premier offensive linemen.

But before riding into the sunset, the 41-year-old Peters wants to saddle up one more time, for his 20th and final season. Unfortunately, with the regular season slated to kick off in three weeks, the 9-time Pro Bowl tackle remains a free agent.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Friday that Peters is still hoping to get a call from a team looking for help up front. He played in Dallas last season and suffered a hip injury during the Cowboys’ wild-card win over Tampa Bay, but now appears to be healthy and ready to sign, if a team is willing to pick up the phone.

Several teams, including the Bills, Patriots and Buccaneers, seem to be desperate for offensive line depth.

Peters arrived at Arkansas in 2000 as an athletic defensive tackle from Queen City, Texas. After spending his freshman year as a reserve defensive lineman, the athletic 320-pounder was then moved across the line to tight end as a sophomore, where he caught four passes for 37 yards. The following season, he hauled in 21 catches for 218 yards and four touchdowns — as well as registering 61 knockdown blocks — which earned him second-team All-SEC honors.

After going undrafted in 2004, Peters signed a free-agent deal with Buffalo, who eventually transitioned the big man to offensive tackle. And the rest is still history in the making.

In addition to his Pro Bowl appearances, Peters is a 6-time All-Pro and was named to the Hall of Fame’s 2010s All-Decade team. He also won a Super Bowl ring with Philadelphia in 2018.

Peters spent the first five years of his career with the Bills, but will mostly be remembered for his stellar 11 years as the anchor of the Eagles’ offensive line. He played the 2021 season in Chicago, before appearing in 10 games for the Cowboys last season. He has started in 219 of his 238 NFL games played.

Enos has fond memories of former Razorback Alex Collins

Dan Enos coached Alex Collins for one season, but had fond memories of the Razorback legend.

Arkansas offensive coordinator Dan Enos opened his Thursday press conference with an emotional remembrance of former Razorback Alex Collins, who tragically passed away in a motorcycle accident Sunday.

Enos was Collins’ OC in 2015, during the record-setting running back’s final season in Fayetteville, before he was drafted in the fifth round by the Seattle Seahawks and embarked on a five-year NFL career that included a stint with the Baltimore Ravens and a return to Seattle.

“Sad, sad news,” Enos said. “Alex was a great player, obviously. He was just a wonderful person. Great character. Smile on his face. Practiced really hard. Was a great teammate. His teammates loved him. He came to work every day and was super competitive. That’s what I loved about him. The bigger the moment, the year I was here with him, the better he played.”

Collins was driving his motorcycle in Lauderdale Lakes, Fla., late Sunday night when he crashed into the rear passenger side of an SUV. Upon impact, he went through the vehicle’s rear passenger side window and was pronounced dead at the scene.

The stout 5-foot-11, 215-pound speedster, whose signature dreadlocks descended from his helmet, was one of only three SEC running backs to ever run for more than 1,000 yards in each of their first three seasons, joining fellow Razorback Darren McFadden and Georgia’s Herschel Walker.

During his junior season in Enos’ offense, Collins ran for 1,577 yards, while topping 150 yards in five games, with a hefty 5.8 yards per carry. He also finished with a school-record 20 touchdowns on the ground, earning All-SEC and All-American honors, and was a semifinalist for the Doak Walker Award.

He capped that season, and his Arkansas career, with 185 yards and three touchdowns, in a 45-23 win over Kansas State in the Liberty Bowl.

“He just did a tremendous job — not just as a player, but as a person,” said Enos, who was at Arkansas from 2015-17, before returning this season. “What a great young man. Was fun to be around and coach. It’s just heartbreaking. He had so much life left to live. Just a wonderful, beautiful person. Then you read all the things his teammates say about him. Not just here, but in the National Football League, as well. Obviously, prayers to his family. Just a wonderful human being.”

Collins sits only behind McFadden on Arkansas’ career rushing list with 3,703 yards. He rushed for more than 100 yards in 10 games in 2015, tying McFadden’s single-season mark, and is second to D-Mac in career 100-yard games with 17.

Former Hog Greenlaw still battling the injury bug

Dre Greenlaw is battling injuries as he tries to get healthy in time for the season opener at Pittsburgh on Sept. 10.

Former Arkansas linebacker and emerging NFL stalwart Dre Greenlaw continues to battle the injury bug, tweaking his hamstring in a joint scrimmage with Las Vegas last week and missing last Sunday’s preseason opener against the Raiders.

He returned to practice this week and should see limited time in this upcoming Sunday’s preseason tilt at Denver.

The 6-foot, 230-pound Fayetteville native, a fifth-round pick in 2019, has become a key cog for San Francisco’s top-ranked defense at linebacker, playing along side All-Pro Fred Warner.

In 15 games last season he piled up a career-high 127 tackles, including 82 solos, and one interception.

A four-year starter at Arkansas, Greenlaw’s toughest opponent since cracking the 49ers starting lineup three years ago has been his battle with injuries and being able to stay on the field.

He played in just three games in 2021 after landing on the IR with a groin injury, then missed the end of the 2022 regular season with a injured back. He did return for the 49ers’ 41-23 win over Seattle in the Wild Card game, leading the team with 11 tackles.

Greenlaw also led San Francisco with nine tackles, including two for a loss, in the 49ers’ 31-7 loss to Philadelphia in the Jan. 29 NFC Championship game. But he suffered a thumb injury while trying to punch a ball loose.

After having surgery on the injured thumb this offseason, Greenlaw missed OTAs while rehabbing, in order to return for the preseason. The team is hoping the recent hamstring issue won’t linger into the season, as soft-tissue injuries often can.

Greenlaw, who is also having to get acquainted with new defensive coordinator Steve Wilks’ scheme, was recently ranked No. 79 on the NFL’s “Top 100 Players of 2023.”

Burks suffers injury in Wednesday’s scare at practice

We can hope it’s not that serious, but Treylon Burks was carted off on Wednesday at practice.

The summer keeps delivering bad news for Arkansas Razorback fans.

On Wednesday, Treylon Burks was carted off by Tennessee Titans team trainers after catching a deep ball against Akayleb Evens in a dual practice with the Minnesota Vikings.

https://x.com/lglodek/status/1691875299586134266?s=46&t=ePgN1CXZYeG7pg-Bi26Arg

Burks is the No. 2 wide receiver for the Titans behind DeAndre Hopkins and has had a major knee injury before.

This is definitely a situation worth monitoring. The hope is that maybe it’s just a calf issue but if it’s a knee, he could be out for a significant amount of time.

UPDATE:

Looks like disaster was averted.

https://x.com/rapsheet/status/1691942902362931638?s=46&t=ePgN1CXZYeG7pg-Bi26Arg

Photo gallery: Remembering Alex Collins through the years

Alex Collins had a memorable three-year career with the Razorbacks. He still holds the record for most rushing touchdowns in a season with 20 in 2015 and is second behind Darren McFadden all-time in career rushing yards.

Alex Collins was Bret Bielema’s first big signee after taking the Arkansas job in December 2012.

His three years saw him run wild for the Razorback offense as it made two bowl games and won both of them over Big 12 opponents Texas and Kansas State in the Texas and Liberty Bowl, respectively.

He parlayed his Arkansas success into a fifth round NFL Draft selection in 2016 by the Seattle Seahawks,

After playing with the Seahawks for a year and a half, he was eventually waived and was picked up by the Baltimore Ravens, where he led the team in rushing during the 2017 season with 973 yards and six touchdowns.

He had a second stint with the Seahawks before exiting the league and he got back into football with the USFL’s Memphis Showboats before his untimely passing.

WATCH: Landers catches touchdown in first preseason game

Matt Landers caught a 30-yard touchdown pass in Seattle’s first preseason game Thursday night against the Vikings.

It didn’t take former Arkansas wide receiver Matt Landers long to make some noise at the professional level.

On Thursday in Seattle’s 24-13 victory over Minnesota, Landers was targeted three times.

He turned one of those into a 30-yard touchdown.

The Seahawks will be back in action on Saturday, August 19, when they face the Dallas Cowboys at Lumen Field.

Pro Hogs currently on preseason NFL rosters

Plenty of Razorbacks find themselves on preseason rosters. Two games are taking place tonight with the Texans and Patriots and Seahawks and Vikings.

Arkansas has 27 players currently on NFL preseason rosters as it kicks into high gear on Thursday.

Tonight, Houston takes on New England at 6 p.m. on NFL Network and then Seattle tangles with Minnesota at 9 p.m.

Here is a look at all 27 former Razorbacks that are on 15 different rosters.

Burks will be an ‘X-factor’ according to this CBS writer in 2023

Treylon Burks is poised to have a breakout year in his second season with the Titans. One CBS writer has him pegged for it.

With the Tennessee Titans signing DeAndre Hopkins to a deal on Sunday, former Arkansas wide receiver Treylon Burks is likely only going to benefit from that addition.

Jared Dubin of CBS Sports acknowledged that when he ranked ‘X-factors’ for all 32 NFL teams earlier this month.

Tennessee’s offense is based almost entirely around Derrick Henry. But the big man is 29 years old now, and turning 30 late in this season. He has 300-plus carries in three of the last four years, including 349 last year. After hitting 5.1 and 5.4 yards per carry in 2019 and 2020, respectively, he’s been at 4.3 and 4.4 per carry the past two years. The Titans need a quality passing-game option to emerge, and Burks is their best shot at that happening.

Burks is coming off a rookie season in which he caught 33 passes for 444 yards and a touchdown as the Titans had quarterback issues with an injury to Ryan Tannehill and could not settle on Malik Willis or Josh Dobbs as a backup option.

Will Levis is now in the quarterback room with Tannehill and Willis after being drafted in the second round in April.