FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Arkansas defensive tackle David Oke will miss the start of the 2025 football season with a knee injury, Razorbacks coach Sam Pittman said after Saturday’s second fall scrimmage.
Pittman told reporters Oke may be sidelined for “a game or two” and said he has not yet received final word from doctors.
“He may miss a game or two with a knee. I don’t know exactly. I haven’t talked to the doctors yet, but it was kind of trending towards that way, maybe a little trim job, and might take two or three weeks for him to recover,” Pittman said.
Oke’s absence leaves Arkansas thin at defensive tackle as the team prepares for its season opener Aug. 30 against Alabama A&M in Fayetteville.
The Razorbacks were already short on depth along the defensive line after the transfer portal closed April 25, limiting the team’s options to add reinforcements.
While Pittman said the rest of the roster is generally healthy and dealing only with minor injuries, he acknowledged the defensive front is a concern.
“Defensively, the only one I can think of, and we’re still waiting to see, is David Oke,” Pittman said.
The coach indicated Oke could need a minor procedure, with a recovery time of two to three weeks. That would likely keep Oke out for at least the season opener and possibly the following game.
Oke’s injury comes as Arkansas tries to solidify its rotation up front. The Razorbacks have “all right starting ends and relatively good starting defensive tackles for this conference,” according to Pittman. The numbers behind the starters remain an issue.
The team did find some positives in its most recent scrimmage. Troy transfer Phillip Lee has started to make an impact on the edge, Pittman said, offering some hope for added production on the defensive line in Oke’s absence.
With the season approaching, Arkansas will rely on its remaining healthy linemen and could be forced to accelerate the development of younger players to fill gaps in the rotation.
Pittman said the situation remains fluid as he awaits further guidance from medical staff. The program will continue to monitor Oke’s status leading up to the opener.
Arkansas kicks off the 2025 season at home against Alabama A&M on Aug. 30.
