One Nears Closer to Return, but Hogs' May Have Lost Another

Red-White Scrimmage didn't pass without adding to the injured list or at least concern

Daniel Shi | Oct 5, 2023

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Arkansas Razorbacks

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — The most notable thing that happened during the annual Arkansas intrasquad game was before the opening tip at Barnhill Arena on Wednesday night. Maybe it'll end up being a big deal or it may be nothing.

The crowd of 5,478 was still filing in when transfer guard from Temple Khalif Battle went through pregame warmups before gimping off the court. Battle returned in street clothes and in crutches. Battle fractured his fifth metatarsal of his left foot in a December 2021 win during his time at Temple and only played seven games that season.

Coach Eric Musselman didn't have many more details postgame but did say Battle complained of soreness in the same foot, but preliminary checks by doctors didn't think the two injuries were connected.

"He practiced today," Musselman said. "I walked over and got in the gym and he said his foot was really sore. They took him for a preliminary look over at the football facility. At that point, nothing, there was no determination there was anything, no break or anything... As of now, no update, nothing other than the fact he felt uncomfortable. Not in the same spot where he had a break earlier. Same foot, but not really related as of now.

Musselman had more encouraging news on sophomore forward Trevon Brazile but saw no reason to rush him back. Brazile is returning from an anterior cruciate ligament tear (ACL) in his right knee against North Carolina-Greensboro on December 6 last season.

"I want TB in March," Musselman said. "Probably could've played tonight, three minutes a half, but why? We want him to go a little more three-on-three. He's been going three-on-three live after we're done with practice... No real timeline other than we certainly — with the way it's going now, he's playing opening night.

Arkansas Baseketball will continue to prepare for their opener against Alcorn State on Nov. 6. Their next exhibition is slated for 6:30 p.m. Oct. 20 against UT-Tyler inside Bud Walton Arena.