Arkansas coach Bobby Petrino confirmed Friday that running back Knile Davis is expected to miss the season because of a left ankle injury.
The injury is a major blow to the preseason expectations for the Razorbacks, who were 10-3 and reached their first BCS bowl game last season. Davis suffered the injury early in the scrimmage portion of practice on Thursday and was carted off the field without being able to put weight on his left leg.
Davis led all Southeastern Conference running backs with 1,322 yards rushing last season, averaging 147 yards per game over the final seven games of the season.
He was a preseason second-team All-SEC selection and had also been named to the Doak Walker, Maxwell and Walter Camp Player of the Year award watch lists.