Mike Leach on KJ Jefferson's status affecting preparation: They can't change the whole offense in a week

Arkansas is dealing with some injury issues at quarterback after starter KJ Jefferson went out with an apparent head injury against Alabama last weekend (which you can read about further down). HIs status is up in the air for Saturday, and it’s hard to imagine Jefferson trotting back out onto the field a week after he suffered a possible concussion.

This week, the Razorbacks travel to Mississippi State for a noon matchup in front of the cow bells. Hogs coach Sam Pittman is playing his cards close to the vest, not tipping off whether Jefferson will be good to to or not. Meanwhile, Mississippi State coach Mike Leach couldn’t care less. He plans to prepare the same no matter who starts at QB.

After all, Pittman can’t alter his whole offense in a week, says Leach. Here was his take on the unknown the Bulldogs are preparing to face at the QB position:

“I don’t know. Well, first of all, [Jefferson], we already know about. And then whoever’s behind him, we’ll see what they can do for sure. I don’t know that he’s out an awful lot of times. Looks like somebody’s out and he you know comes in there and there isn’t anything wrong with them. So we’ll see. But I don’t think they’re gonna change their whole offense and it’d be difficult to do in a week no matter who you’re playing. So it’ll be pretty similar to what they do already, you know. Because they can’t just reteach everything.”

Could be a different quarterback taking snaps, but should be a very similar offense either way. So Mike Leach simply isn’t too concerned about it.

Sam Pittman updates status of QB KJ Jefferson

Pittman had said after his team’s 49-26 loss to Alabama that Jefferson had hit his head, though he shied away from confirming Jefferson is in concussion protocol this week when asked directly.

“I didn’t say that,” Pittman said. What we know is that Jefferson did not finish the contest against Alabama. After leaving the game for one play midway through the fourth quarter, Jefferson returned briefly and finished out Arkansas’ final scoring drive.

But he did not appear in either of the two series following the final field goal make of the game for the Razorbacks, which cut the Crimson Tide lead to 42-26. Instead, reserve quarterback Cade Fortin played.

Pittman provided further KJ Jefferson status updates on Monday.

“He had some mild symptoms and those are things that our doctors look at,” Pittman said. “Each kid’s a little bit different of how they react. We’ve had guys back within three or four days, we’ve had guys out for 27 days. He’s kind of a wait and see, to be honest with you.”