Arkansas coach Bobby Petrino spoke to the media following Thursday’s practice, which was held indoors because of the rain. Practice also started early, so the players would have more time to get their legs fresh in time for Saturday’s 11 a.m. game against No. 17 Auburn.

Petrino said wide receiver London Crawford has been cleared to play Saturday after being sidelined since breaking a collarbone in the Sept. 5 season opener against Missouri State. The senior has practiced this week without wearing the yellow jersey reserved for injured players.

Crawford’s return gives the Razorbacks another wide receiver to count on. In addition, he should give sophomore Greg Childs a much-needed break during games, allowing him to stay fresh.

“London is ready to play. He had a good week,” Petrino said Thursday evening. “He practiced a lot yesterday and today, caught the ball well, understands what he’s going to do. So he should be available to play. How much he plays is yet to be seen. It will be great to have him back because now he can keep Greg fresh and keep his legs fresh. You know, London’s been very productive for us.”

Petrino said there wasn’t any discussion about redshirting Crawford, who has played every season since arriving at Arkansas as a highly touted freshman in 2006.

“We feel like he’s ready to go, and he wants to play,” Petrino said. “And he’s not interested in a redshirt.”

The status of freshman cornerback Darius Winston, meanwhile, is more uncertain. He has been bothered since tweaking his ankle in a practice last Thursday. Winston is a backup who could give the Razorbacks some help in the secondary.

“Darius did all right today. He’s still limping a little bit at times on his changing directions,” Petrino said. “We’ll really have to see how he does tomorrow.”

Finally, Petrino was asked for his opinion on recent comments by former Auburn coach Tommy Tuberville that Arkansas will lose by three touchdowns on Saturday. Coincidentally, Petrino worked as Tuberville’s offensive coordinator at Auburn for one season.

But Petrino wasn’t interested in getting into a war of words.

“I don’t have any thoughts on that,” Petrino said.

That’s it for now, but check back later on the blog and on Twitter (@NWAAlex) for more updates on the Razorbacks.

We just got back from Arkansas coach Bobby Petrino’s weekly Monday news conference. He spoke, then quarterback Ryan Mallett, defensive end Jake Bequette and finally running back Ronnie Wingo Jr.

Here’s what we learned:

-Petrino said he’ll find out this week if wide receiver London Crawford is ready to return from a broken collarbone suffered in the Sept. 5 season opener against Missouri State. Crawford has been running in practice and appears to be close to making his return, but Petrino said the senior will have an X-ray to determine his progress.

- Meanwhile, Petrino said running back Dennis Johnson was swollen this morning after injuring his leg in Saturday’s win over Texas A&M. Petrino added that the sophomore will continue to return kickoffs if he’s healthy, but for now, Johnson is sore.

- And the final piece of injury news, Petrino said the plan was to play highly touted freshman Darius Winston in the Southwest Classic, but the cornerback “tweaked” his ankle in practice late last week. Petrino said it’s too early to tell if Winston will get in the game against Auburn, but of course, everyone will be looking for him.

- Running back De’Anthony Curtis has improved so much that Arkansas’ coaches are starting to have confidence in him. Petrino said the sophomore was recently named the team’s special teams player of the week because of his blocking, and it’s gotten to the point where Petrino no longer sees Curtis as a fullback. He’s now a “flyback” because after all what running back wants to be called a fullback.

- Petrino and several of Arkansas’ players said that facing Gus Malzahn’s offense last year when the former Springdale High coach was at Tulsa should help them as they prepare for Saturday’s game against Auburn. In his first year as the Tigers’ offensive coordinator, Malzahn has his new offense rolling in ways it didn’t a year ago. But the Razorbacks will likely pay close attention to what Malzahn did at Tulsa to get ready for this weekend.

Well, that’s it for now. But we’ll have more in tomorrow’s newspaper, as well as on the blog and on Twitter (@NWAAlex and NWARobbie).

Arkansas coach Bobby Petrino told a pretty good story on his Bobby Petrino Live radio show last night.

Petrino was asked whether or not coaches get as nervous as the fans about a new season. His initial response to the question was basic: “You lock things out and focus on the task at hand.” But then he mentioned former Arkansas coach Ken Hatfield, who apparently visited with Petrino Wednesday and told him a story about his first game in Little Rock.

“He was talking to me about the first game he got to coach in Little Rock,” Petrino said. “They played Ole Miss and he was so excited for it, and before he knew it they were down 14-0. He said, ‘I learned never to get so excited for a game again.’”

Funny stuff. Now, let’s move on to some links.

• We know who is on the depth chart for the opener. But one intriguing name not on it: CB Darius Winston. The highest rated member of Arkansas’ recruiting class is still behind on the depth chart and doesn’t know if he’ll play Saturday. Or this season. Alex spoke with Winston after practice yesterday and wrote a story for today’s paper.

• Safety Matt Harris was challenged late last week and has responded, according to defensive coordinator Willy Robinson. The senior has regained his starting spot after being replaced by Jerell Norton last week. Nathan writes about Harris, receiver London Crawford going back to Little Rock for the first time since the catch against LSU, and more in notes this morning.

• Missouri State is being paid $325,000 to play Arkansas, according to the Springfield News-Leader. So what do the Bears think about their all expenses paid visit to Little Rock this weekend? Lyndal Scranton of the Springfield News-Leader wrote a good story on the David vs. Goliath matchup. One MSU player told him it’s “like Christmas,” getting an opportunity to knock off an SEC team.

• One more link just because – Arkansas is two days away from its opener, but the first SEC team is on the field TONIGHT. South Carolina opens against North Carolina State. Here’s a preview of that game by Travis Haney of the Charleston Post & Courier.

I wrote something in notes for Sunday’s paper on Arkansas’ freshmen class. It’s a talented group, but looks like one the Razorbacks won’t have to depend on as much as the 2008 bunch. Sixteen freshmen played last season. Six started the opener.

That’s a lot.

But now that game week is here, it’s a good time to address which freshmen will see the field? Some are pretty clear (like Ronnie Wingo, Cobi Hamilton, etc.) Some remain uncertain (like Darius Winston). Some depend on if there are injuries or depth problems at positions (like Alvin Bailey or Colton Nash).

We will probably find out more when the Razorbacks release their two-deep depth chart for the opener.

Until then, here’s my best guess at which freshmen will, may or probably won’t play in 2009.

Will Play
CB David Gordon
WR Cobi Hamilton
DT D.D. Jones
LB Terrell Williams
RB Ronnie Wingo

May Play
OL Alvin Bailey
P Dylan Breeding
RB Knile Davis
LB Austin Moss
TE Colton Nash
OL Anthony Oden
TE Austin Tate
CB Darius Winston

Probably Won’t Play
WR Neal Barlow
OL Colby Berna
LB Ryan Calendar
QB Brandon Mitchell
DB Jerry Mitchell
DB Ross Rasner
WR Lance Ray
OL Travis Swanson