FAYETTEVILLE -- Jonathan Williams said Thursday that he doesn't regret returning for his senior year at Arkansas, nor for being involved in the live tackling workout Aug. 15 that led to the torn ligament in his left foot in the Razorbacks' first scrimmage.
Speaking to reporters for the first time since the injury 12 days earlier, Williams maintained an upbeat attitude about his recovery and the prospects for the Razorbacks this fall. Williams wore a walking boot on his left foot and came into the media room at the Fred Smith Football Center on crutches.
"I think I can still have a big impact on this team without being on the football field and still be that encouraging factor on the sideline," said Williams, who added that if his rehab goes well he intended to move his career to the professional ranks next year.
Williams was withheld from tackling work throughout the spring to reduce wear and tear and cut back on the chance for injury. He was asked if he thought it was a good idea to be engaged in live tackling during camp.
"Being withheld in the spring definitely helped me stay healthy," Williams said. "You never want to go into the first game without having any contact. I wouldn't have wanted him to keep me out the whole spring and the whole fall camp, so I don't think it was a bad idea at all. I think it was a good idea.
"There's ball security issues with that and a lot of different things that you need live tackling and live play to get ready for."
Williams said the remaining tailbacks including Alex Collins, Kody Walker, Rawleigh Williams are still part of the best running back group in the country. He also said the Razorbacks could better afford his injury than one to fifth-year senior quarterback Brandon Allen.
"I'm definitely glad it wasn't Brandon that got hurt," Williams said. "I'd rather it be me than Brandon for sure. That would have hurt the team a little bit more."
Coach Bret Bielema said that kind of comment is "exactly" the kind of person Williams is .
"I think he's very close to B.A.," Bielema said."They've been through a lot together through the trials and tribulations of the last several years, and as far as him reaching out his heart, it's speaking the truth more than anything."
Williams, from Allen, Texas, would have been the No. 2 returning rusher in the SEC with 1,190 yards and was voted as an offensive captain by teammates after suffering the injury on the ninth of his 11 carries in the scrimmage.
"I think it's because of the past and what I've been able to accomplish up to this point that my voice is still respected in the locker room," Williams said. "I'm still that same guy, making jokes with them in the locker room, beating them in ping pong. I'm still the same guy. I'm still in their corner and helping them support them."
Williams was probably only a few plays away from wrapping up his live tackling work for camp when the injury occurred, according to Bielema. It happened on a third-down carry during a move-the-ball sequence.
"I was mad I didn't get the first down," Williams said. "I got up and my foot was a little sore, but Coach B said we were going for it on fourth down. My whole mind-set was trying to get the first down ... because I didn't get it on third.
"So I got the first down on the next play. We ran two plays afterwards, and the second play was another run play. I tried to push off and I felt a little pop."
The pop was a ligament in his left foot, which he had repaired surgically by Dr. Chris Arnold on Aug. 17.
"They put two screws in my foot to kind of help the ligament that I tore be able to grow faster," Williams said. "They said it's a four- to five-month rehab."
Williams said if he feels good about where he is physically there is a chance he could play late in the season.
Sports on 08/28/2015