Arkansas' Jones questionable for Georgia game

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (AP) -- Arkansas quarterback Matt Jones, the Southeastern Conference's leader in total offense, is questionable for this weekend's game against No. 10 Georgia.

Jones, who injured his groin on his first play in a 38-20 loss to No. 3 Auburn on Saturday, went through two treatment sessions Monday. Coach Houston Nutt said the quarterback will be evaluated daily.

"We don't know exactly. He's better today than he was yesterday," Nutt said in a Monday conference call. "It's hard for me to sit here today and say he'll miss this game. I hope not."

On average, Jones has accounted for 274 yards per game this season. If he were to sit out or play sparingly, it would be a handicap for the Razorbacks against the SEC's second-best defense.

Jones would not assess whether he will be able to play, saying it is too early in the week. He said he's never had a similar injury and is unsure how quickly it will heal.

"We're just going to do everything we can to give me the opportunity to go," he said.

Jones said the injury occurred as he was rolling out and threw an 18-yard pass to freshman receiver Marcus Monk.

"Nothing happened as far as contact or nothing like that," he said.

Nutt had praise for redshirt freshman quarterback Robert Johnson, who relieved Jones late in the second half, saying the backup did well in his first extended playing time against a quality opponent. Nutt said Johnson has enough overall skills that the offense will not have to change its routine as it prepares for the Bulldogs this week.

Jones also expressed confidence in Johnson.

"He's looked real good this year every time he's been in," Jones said. "He's a real athletic quarterback who can run and do a lot of things. I don't think we have that different styles."

The long-legged quarterback with deceptive speed has made a name for himself as an elusive runner who can scramble from the pocket. Nutt said the offense wasn't the same against Auburn with Jones' mobility compromised.

"That's a tough injury for a guy who relies on moving and escaping and running laterally," he said.