SEC INSIDER

Arkansas RB Williams out with foot injury

The Sports Xchange

August 16, 2015 at 3:51 pm.

Nov 22, 2014; Fayetteville, AR, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks running back Jonathan Williams (32) rushes against the Ole Miss Rebels at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Arkansas defeated Mississippi 30-0.  (Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports)

Nov 22, 2014; Fayetteville, AR, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks running back Jonathan Williams (32) rushes against the Ole Miss Rebels at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Arkansas defeated Mississippi 30-0. (Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports)

Arkansas running back Jonathan Williams, who was the Razorbacks’ leading rusher last season, will miss an “extended period of time” this season after sustaining a foot injury in Saturday’s scrimmage, the school announced Sunday.

Williams, who rushed for 1,190 yards in 2014, will need surgery on his foot, but he is expected to make a full recovery and may return to action sometime this season.

“I have no doubt that Jonathan will come back stronger than ever. Anyone that knows Jonathan Williams knows this is just another opportunity for him to prove the man of character and substance that he really is,” head coach Bret Bielema said in a statement. “It’s an unfortunate injury to a great young man, but we are in the process of gathering as much information as possible. There are short- and long-term impacts of how he proceeds and we want to make sure he does what’s best for him and his family, and his career beyond Arkansas.”

Williams is Arkansas’ No. 10 career rusher with 2,321 yards, and he has averaged 5.72 yards per carry.

“This is no doubt a tough moment, but I know through my faith and hard work that I will make a full recovery,” Williams said.

Williams’ absence may put an additional load on Alex Collins, who was second on the team in rushing last season with 1,100 yards. Williams and Collins were the only FBS teammates to rush for more than 1,000 yards last season.