Arkansas running back Rocket Sanders wouldn’t be making his season debut if he were to play Saturday against Texas A&M, but it would sure feel like it.
The preseason All-American has missed Arkansas’ last three games with a knee injury. Even in the Hogs’ opener, Sanders was limited to 42 on just 15 carries as Arkansas easily handled Western Carolina. Since that time, the Razorbacks have beaten only Kent State.
Arkansas coach Sam Pittman is optimistic Sanders can return against the Aggies.
“As confident as I’ve been since the Western Carolina game,” Pittman said. “I would be lying to you if I told you that I’m sure he’s going to play. I feel better about his opportunity to play, but we still have to see how he recovers from yesterday’s limited reps that he participated in and go from there.”
Sanders ran for more than 1,400 yards and 10 touchdowns last year in helping Arkansas to have the No. 7 rushing offense in FBS with 236.5 yards a game. In Arkansas’ four games this season, the Hogs’ rushing offense is ranked 77th with 148 yards per game.
Sanders has practiced with more intensity each day that passes in the week leading up to Saturday’s game. Given the nature of his injury, though, it’s hard to imagine Sanders getting 20 carries or more, a mark he reached six times in Arkansas’ 13 games last year.
“This week, I thought he was farther ahead on Monday than what I thought he would be,” Pittman said. “It didn’t swell up too bad on it yesterday. We’ll give him a little less reps today and then see where he’s at on Thursday. But we’re obviously hoping he can play.”