The SEC’s first Week 5 availability report brought some encouraging news for Arkansas, with linebacker Bradley Shaw trending toward a return for the matchup against Texas A&M.
Shaw sat out the Tulsa game because of an undisclosed injury, but he looks poised to be back in the mix for the primetime conference showdown. The 6-foot-1, 227-pound team captain opened the season as a starter in each of Arkansas’ first three games and has 15 tackles along with one tackle for loss.
His absence last week opened the door for other linebackers to step up in a 34-6 win over the Golden Hurricane. Ja'Quavion Smith and Ben Bogle both got extended chances to make their mark, and Bogle in particular drew praise after the game.
"Yeah, Bradley Shaw unfortunately was out with an injury," Silverfield said Saturday night after the Tulsa game. "You know, obviously what we think about Bradley. The players as well, who named him captain.
"But so pleased with Ben Bogle. He’s been a spark plug.
It’s fun. He’s been an energizer bunny out at practice flying around.
He’s a leader. And then you see him making plays, right?
And he continues to do some things. Pleased with Ben.
We’ve said this all along, we’re going to have to have depth at the linebacker position, every position."
The other notable name on Arkansas’ report is starting JACK linebacker Steven Soles, who is listed as questionable. Soles has been an important part of Ron Roberts’ "Creeper" defense and has appeared in all four games this season, posting five tackles and one tackle for loss in 2026.
The three players listed as out are all deeper on the depth chart. Maddox Lassiter has been sidelined since suffering an injury in fall camp and is not expected back until 2027.
Jamonta Waller, once viewed as a major transfer addition from Auburn, has played in only one game this season. John Howse IV, who came in from Middle Tennessee State this offseason, has not played yet and is also out for Arkansas’ first SEC road game.
The SEC’s availability system was introduced to cut down on outside pressure around player participation and to give schools a clearer, more transparent way to report who can play.
“This availability reporting policy is intended to reduce pressure from outside entities seeking participation information and represents a commitment of our 16 institutions to provide enhanced transparency to support efforts to protect our student-athletes and the integrity of competition,” SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey said prior to Week 1.
Players are listed each week as “available,” “game time decision,” or “out,” and schools can face penalties if they fail to file reports on time or accurately. Those fines start at $25,000 for a first football offense and can climb to $100,000 by the third, with lower maximums listed for men’s and women’s basketball and baseball.
In Other News...
Pro Hogs Are Giving Arkansas Fans Two New Reasons To Watch
Former Arkansas standouts kept showing up on NFL stat sheets in Week 3, giving Razorback fans a little extra reason to check the scores on Sundays. Treylon Burks found the end zone for the Washington Commanders, while Mike Washington Jr. turned in a breakthrough moment for the Las Vegas Raiders by scoring his first career touchdown, a reminder that the pro pipeline out of Fayetteville is still producing noticeable moments.
The rest of the former Hogs were active, too, with brief statistical notes underscoring how many Arkansas alumni are carving out roles across the league. Their upcoming games will give fans another chance to follow along, and for Arkansas supporters, the broader appeal is obvious: the more these players keep popping up in NFL highlights, the easier it is to keep one eye on the Razorbacks long after Saturdays end. [Read more 🡒]
Arkansas Knows What Must Happen To Rattle Texas A&M's Offense
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Reeds recent turnover issues have only sharpened the focus on that part of the matchup, but Arkansas knows the job is bigger than just chasing mistakes from the quarterback. Mario Craver and Isaiah Horton remain the main threats on the outside, which means the Razorbacks will need to keep the Aggies from finding balance early and often if they want to put Reed in tougher passing situations. [Read more 🡒]
LSU Still Has Work To Do In Elite Guard Recruitment
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For Arkansas, Gibson represents the kind of elite perimeter target that can change the feel of a class if the Razorbacks can land him. The scouting report on him points to a player whose high school and grassroots seasons have shown different sides of his game, with physical maturity and shooting ability standing out while other parts of his guard play still have room to grow. That mix makes him a particularly interesting prize for the programs still in the hunt, even as the finish line remains a little bit out of view. [Read more 🡒]