Mallett improving following concussion

By Jimmy Carter

Arkansas quarterback Ryan Mallett is no longer showing any symptoms from the concussion he suffered Saturday in the Hogs’ 65-43 loss at No. 7 Auburn, Razorbacks’ coach Bobby Petrino said.

Mallett could return to practice Tuesday, if cleared by the doctors, Petrino said. The junior signal caller was asymptomatic – had no symptoms – when he reported Sunday morning.

“He’ll go through a series of tests this afternoon,” Petrino said. “Best case scenario he comes out and practices tomorrow. He’s had no symptoms since yesterday morning when he came in and reported. He was good Saturday night and had no problems. If that continues he might get to practice tomorrow – that’s what I’m hoping, anyway.”

Sophomore Tyler Wilson replaced Mallett and completed 25-of-34 passes for for 332 yards. The Greenwood, Ark., native threw four touchdowns and two fourth-quarter interceptions. The practice repetitions this week will be determined by Mallett’s status.

“We have to see what transpires in practice,” Petrino said. “If there’s an all go-ahead (with Mallett), then you go with it. If there’s question marks, you have to have Tyler take reps with the (starters).”

Petrino has experience dealing with a quarterback who suffered a concussion from his stint as Jacksonville Jaguars’ offensive coordinator.

“(Jacksonville starting quarterback) Mark Brunell is really tough, kind of like Ryan,” Petrino said. “He wants to play. He took all the reps in Wednesday and Thursday’s practice and he’s feeling good, then all the sudden he had headaches come up. We didn’t really know until pregame Sunday that he was not going to play in the game, which was not really fair to our backup at the time.

“We just have to monitor, make decisions right before we go to practice, see what the reps are going to be. The good thing is everyone has a tremendous amount of confidence in Tyler.”

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