Ole Miss Rebels, QB Jaxson Dart Use Bye Week To Get Healthy Ahead Of Auburn Tigers

Coming off a big 27-20 win over the Arkansas Razorbacks on Saturday, the Ole Miss Rebels head into the bye week. And it couldn't come at a better time.

Coming off a big 27-20 win over the Arkansas Razorbacks on Saturday, the Ole Miss Rebels head into the bye week. And it couldn't come at a better time. 

Quarterback Jaxson Dart was injured on the first drive of the game on Saturday, but was able to stick it out for the rest of the game. 

“He didn’t look up to his full potential; he was banged up the whole game,” Rebels wideout Jordan Watkins said on Tuesday. “Dart is a tough guy and he was able to play through it. That’s what you want in your quarterback, a guy who can go out there and give it all out on the line no matter if they are feeling a little bit banged up.”

The goal this week- during the bye - is to get Dart healthy before the trip to Auburn on Oct. 21.

Ole Miss QB Jaxson Dart attempts to escape a sack against the Arkansas Razorbacks on Oct. 7 / USA TODAY Sports

“The timing is just going to be off with his drops,” Watkins said. “Obviously, with it being any kind of lower-body injury. They played straight—the whole game—so the timing is going to be off anyway, just with your quarterback being banged up is going to throw things off anyway.”

The Rebels need a healthy Dart as the schedule continues in Week 8, as the team hopes to improve on its 5-1 record. Mississippi's lone loss came in Week 4 against Alabama, but the program came back with conference wins over LSU and Arkansas.

“Those two wins were huge, LSU at home and Arkansas at home, those are two tough teams,” Watkins said. “Two teams that play physical, two teams who are really good on defense and offense. Arkansas was a huge win for us just because they always play hard, no matter who the opponent is. In the past, we have had problems with them.”

After the bye week, Ole Miss heads to Auburn to meet the Tigers on Oct. 21 at 6 p.m. CT on ESPN.