FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas football coach Sam Pittman announced Monday that the Razorbacks will be without starting left guard Patrick Kutas for its season opener against UAPB.
Kutas missed a majority of the Razorbacks ' fall camp with a back injury. He participated in the first two practices before missing the next 14 that were open to the media. Last week, offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino said Kutas was able to do 'some work' at recent practices.
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Arkansas opens the season Thursday night against the Golden Lions in Little Rock. Losing Kutas shouldn't be a big factor in the in-state rivalry against an FCS foe, but the Hogs will be desperate for the left guard to return for a week two showdown against No. 19 Oklahoma State.
Pittman also announced Monday that wide receiver Andrew Armstrong and running back Rashod Dubinion are questionable for the UAPB game, and their availability would be determined this week at practice.
Who is Patrick Kutas' backup on the Arkansas football depth chart?
Pittman announced E'Marion Harris will replace Kutas as the starting left guard Thursday night, which was widely expected. Harris worked at that spot — and with the starting offense — across the final week of fall camp that was open to the media.
"(Harris) has been here now for three seasons," Pittman said. "His ability to move people is much better. I think he’s just playing much better because he’s confident he can get it done."
The redshirt sophomore saw action in six games last season, mostly on special teams. He was a consensus four-star prospect coming out of Little Rock's Joe T. Robinson High School in 2022. His father, Elliott Harris, played defensive line for the Hogs from 2001-04.
Patrick Kutas time at Arkansas
Kutas was a four-star prospect coming out of high school in 2022. The Memphis native played in all 13 games as a true freshman, primarily on special teams, before becoming a full-time starter along the offensive line in 2023.
Kutas started nine games at right tackle last year, but Pittman moved him inside this spring and he has exclusively played left guard this offseason.
At SEC Media Days, Pittman said Kutas was one of the strongest players on the team and a key figure of the offense. The head coach was expecting a big bounce-back season for the offensive lineman .
This article originally appeared on Fort Smith Times Record: Patrick Kutas injury update: Arkansas football LG out for season opener vs UAPB
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