FAYETTEVILLE — Ryan Mallett's road to recovery from a foot injury he suffered in February took another turn Wednesday night.
Mallett, who broke the small toe in his left foot Feb. 17, had a successful surgery Wednesday evening to replace a screw in the foot. Mallett will be off his feet for the next two weeks due to the pre-planned surgery but is expected to be fully recovered by the end of June.
"We fully anticipated this would need to be done in early to mid-June and the timing of it was intentional to allow him to prepare for the season as much as possible during the summer months," Arkansas Coach Bobby Petrino said.
Mallett was cleared by the Arkansas staff to run straight ahead and throw the football last week, according to a report on ESPN.com. Mallett expected to be able to change direction and run side to side in July or August, but the latest surgery leaves that expectation in the air.
Mallett, who set or tied 16 school records last season, is scheduled to attend the Manning Passing Academy on July 8. His availability for that event after this latest surgery is not known.
"He will be non-weight bearing for the next two weeks and I expect Ryan to return fully after that time period," Petrino said. "I am completely confident in our athletic trainers and medical staff and the plan they have put in place for Ryan."
Petrino and the Arkansas training staff have taken a cautious approach dealing with Mallett's injury. Petrino even made sure to have Mallett's foot placed back in a full cast for an extra week — even though he was cleared for a cast removal and an upgrade to a protective boot — during spring break in March.
Mallett occasionally removed the protective boot during spring practices late in April while watching from the sidelines.
Mallett's foot injury was believed to be the result of continued stress on the outside of his foot. Mallett experienced pain in the foot twice last season during practices, Petrino revealed in March.
Mallett threw for 3,624 yards and 30 touchdowns with 7 interceptions in leading Arkansas to an 8-5 record and win in the Liberty Bowl. He was a second-team selection on the All-SEC teams picked by the media and league’s coaches, and has already prompted consideration by man in the media as a Heisman Trophy candidate next season.