The Arkansas Razorbacks are locked in their annual rivalry game against the Missouri Tigers during the midday Black Friday slate of college football. With little left to play for besides bragging rights against their rival, the Razorbacks may have to fight the rest of the way without their starting quarterback KJ Jefferson.
KJ Jefferson Injury Update: Latest on Arkansas QB
On a first-down carry, Jefferson took a QB draw up the middle of the defense. He scampered ahead for what would have been a first down, bouncing off defenders, before coming down awkwardly on his left leg and ultimately fumbling the football.
The Tigers took over, but possession of the ball didn’t matter as their quarterback laid on the ground clutching below his knee.
Ugly injury to KJ Jefferson’s leg — hoping for the best for him after this pic.twitter.com/fyfmfkFmRa
— Cam Mellor (@CamMellor) November 24, 2023
Jefferson left the game during the broadcast’s commercial break and his status for the rest of the game was not immediately known. However, he was seen walking around on the sidelines following the injury, in visible pain.
“Been watching KJ Jefferson here on the sidelines, he only spent a couple of minutes in the injury tent and after that he got on the bike,” CBS’ Amanda Guerra said on the sidelines. “He’s been working with trainers to see how nimble he can be on that left leg.”
“He’s been rubbing the inside of his left shine quite a bit.”
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“I was talking to (Jefferson’s) mom who said, ‘this game is huge for him, he’s going to do whatever it takes to try to go back in,'” Guerra said.
He warmed up and ran a bit on the sidelines, but re-entered the injury tent before the Razorbacks’ next drive. North Carolina transfer QB Jacolby Criswell entered the game for Arkansas following the injury.
UPDATE, 8:30 p.m. ET: Jefferson did not return to action for Arkansas in a lopsided loss.