Razorbacks report

FAYETTEVILLE — RB Green better, gets to practice

Arkansas sophomore tailback Broderick Green returned Tuesday after missing the previous five practices with pneumonia.

"I'm not 100 percent, but I'm way better than what I was," Green said. "The only symptom I have left is just a deep cough."

Green, who said he began feeling ill after Arkansas' scrimmage Aug. 15, said shots and bed rest helped him recover.

He also joked about some of the rumors regarding his illness.

"There was no swine flu, no H1N1, none of that," he said. "I wasn't quarantined."

Running backs coach Tim Horton said: "We're really glad to have Broderick Green back on the practice field today and to get him back in the mix."

Senior Brandon Barnett, who suffered a broken leg last spring, appeared to increase his workload on the day of Green's return.

Green said he could feel the physical effects of missing practice time and losing about 8 pounds (down to 234) in the last week, and he's ready to resume the much-discussed battle for playing time behind Michael Smith.

"I'm just going to continue to work hard, now that I'm back, and make the most of every opportunity I have," he said. "I'll be ready to go. I'm a competitor and I'm not going to quit." Forester ahead

Special teams coordinator John L. Smith said junior college transfer Briton Forester has a slight advantage over freshman Dylan Breeding in the competition at punter.

"Forester right now is just a little more consistent," Smith said.

Crowell sidelined

Sophomore guard Kareem Crowell has had a rough run of health in the past 18 months,including suffering a rare blood disorder that has sidelined him for the third time in less than a year.

Crowell had shoulder surgery that kept him out all of 2008, but as he recovered from the shoulder problem he ran into a more serious affliction.

"I had a blood disease called TTP," Crowell said early in camp.

The disease, thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura, can damage red blood cells and leave the body susceptible to other issues like organ damage.

"It was pretty serious," said Crowell, who was first struck by the illness when he was home in Tallahassee, Fla., for the Christmas break of 2008. "I had a blood transfusion and a plasma transfusion.

"It was very serious. The doctors didn't know if I could play football again."

Doctors thought they had the condition under control when it hit Crowell again last spring, putting him in the hospital for three weeks.

Arkansas Coach Bobby Petrino said the same issue has put Crowell on the sideline again.

"It's really been a tough year," Crowell said.

Back at work

The Razorbacks returned to practice Tuesday after being off Sunday and Monday, which was the first day of classes.

"It was sluggish," tight end D.J.

Williams said of practice. "In years past that I've been here, transitioning from class to coming out to practice has always been a little bit slow.

"I think we came out with the right mind-set, started off strong, then we had some mental mistakes and then finished strong.

"I think it was better than it was before, still not where it needs to be, but I think we're on the right path."

Special teams coordinator John L. Smith said he could sense before practice that the players have a little bit more intensity.

"They were pretty serious when they sat in meetings today and then when they came to the field," Smith said. "They knowcamp is over and now it is prep time." Hot and humid

The temperature was in the 80s Tuesday, but high humidity made it feel a lot warmer.

"It's about as tough a day weatherwise as we've had in a long time, and then you mix that with the layoff, and it made practice a little tougher than normal," offensive line coach Mike Summers said. "Not every day is going to be a rah-rah day, and I thought they grinded their way through it and did a good job." On the right path

Offensive line coach Mike Summers said he saw some "some positive things" after reviewing tape of last Saturday's scrimmage.

"We're moving in the direction that we need to move," Summers said. "I feel like we're still a pretty decent ways away from playing as a single unit, five guys playing as one.

"But I did see effort, and I did see toughness. But we need better execution."

A depth chart hasn't been released for Arkansas' Sept.

5 season opener against Missouri State, but junior tackle DeMarcus Love, senior guard Mitch Petrus and sophomore guard Grant Cook appear to have locked down starting jobs.

Sophomore Seth Oxner has worked at first-team center the entire fall, but Summers said competition for the starting job continues between Oxner and junior Wade Grayson, who also has been working at guard after starting at that position last year.

At the other tackle spot, sophomore Grant Freeman and junior Ray Dominguez have been sharing first-team snaps.

Worth noting

The media was limited to shooting and viewing just the first 20 minutes of Tuesday's work, which is standard for a Bobby Petrino practice. Media and fans had been able to view all the previous workouts during the two-a-day portion of camp.

Cornerback David Gordon, receiver London Crawford and linebacker Matt Marshallwere all back at practice after not participating in Saturday's scrimmage. Crawford wore a sleeve on his left knee.

Safety Anthony Leon has let his hair out, and it flows under his helmet. He had been wearing it in braids.

Linebacker Terrell Williams apparently turned in a solid camp. The freshman from Tulsa Union took some repetitions with the first defense at weakside linebacker during Saturday's scrimmage and appeared to be getting more reps Tuesday.

Cornerback Rudell Crim appears to be getting some work at both cornerback spots, as well as at the nickel position. Crim had been behind Ramon Broadway at the boundary cornerback spot, but defensive coordinator Willy Robinson said he might be tried at field corner, where Isaac Madison has been lost for the year and Greg Gatson has worked with the first team.