Williams will miss regular season

Arkansas' Jonathan Williams scores a touchdown against Texas Tech during an NCAA college football game in Lubbock, Texas, Saturday, Sept. 13, 2014. (AP Photo/Lubbock Avalanche-Journal, Tori Eichberger)
Arkansas' Jonathan Williams scores a touchdown against Texas Tech during an NCAA college football game in Lubbock, Texas, Saturday, Sept. 13, 2014. (AP Photo/Lubbock Avalanche-Journal, Tori Eichberger)

— The foot injury suffered by Arkansas running back Jonathan Williams will cause him to miss all of the Razorbacks' regular season.

Arkansas coach Bret Bielema said Monday that there is a slight chance Williams could play for the Razorbacks if they make the postseason. Williams will have a screw inserted into his foot when he undergoes surgery to repair the injury.

"We're doing everything we can to support him," Bielema said. "It was a bad day for J-Will yesterday. We shed a few tears together. I'm sure he's had a lot by himself, but I think the crying aspect of it was done last night about 10. We met and he had absolutely flipped his focus on what he needs to do."

Williams was injured Saturday during Arkansas' first scrimmage of the preseason. Bielema declined to elaborate on the exact nature of the injury.

Williams had been voted preseason second-team all-SEC earlier this summer after rushing for 1,190 yards and 12 touchdowns as a junior. After considering a jump to the NFL Draft, Williams announced last December that he would return to Arkansas.

"I didn't want to look back and watch college football next season while in the NFL and see how well the Arkansas Razorbacks were doing, and wishing I could be a part of it," Williams told Hawgs Illustrated in June.

If he doesn't play this season, Williams would be eligible to play again in 2016. He is three hours shy of completing his undergraduate degree in communication.

Bielema said he doesn't expect Williams to return for a fifth season and doesn't think the injury will impact his future draft status.

He is the second Arkansas running back to suffer a long-term injury this year. Redshirt freshman Juan Day tore his anterior cruciate ligament in March.

Alex Collins, who rushed for 1,100 yards and 12 touchdowns last season, remains as the Razorbacks' primary running back. Bielema said freshman Rawleigh Williams will factor more into the offense after the injury.

Rawleigh Williams rushed for 102 yards and a 63-yard touchdown during Saturday's scrimmage.

"If there's any team in college football that can take a hit at the running back position, it's probably the Arkansas Razorbacks," Bielema said. "We'll regroup...but it's not a setback in any shape or form. It's an opportunity for others to take a step forward and I'm excited about that."

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