Arkansas football star DB Jalen Catalon out for season with shoulder injury, Sam Pittman says
FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas football's preseason All-America safety Jalen Catalon will not return for the Razorbacks this season.
After suffering an injury in the season opener against Cincinnati, Catalon did not play in Arkansas' 44-30 win over South Carolina on Saturday. Coach Sam Pittman confirmed after the game that Catalon will have reconstructive surgery on his shoulder.
Catalon has had bad luck with injuries dating back to last season. He missed eight games in 2021 after injuring his shoulder against Ole Miss, and the redshirt junior was preparing for a big year in 2022.
"We've had conversations, and I'm going to let him be away from the building a little bit," Pittman said. "He's down. You would be, too, if you put in all that work for two years and you're not able to play."
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Catalon had been voted a team captain before the season. Pittman said he spoke to Catalon about maintaining the role, but the safety agreed to let the next-highest vote-getter, Simeon Blair, take on the role. Pittman said the team was "ecstatic" for Blair to earn the honor.
Georgia transfer Latavious Brini started at safety in Catalon's stead against South Carolina. He had four tackles and a forced fumble.
Starting nickelback Myles Slusher also missed Saturday's game with an injury, but Pittman said he expects Slusher back for Week 3 against Missouri State.
Christina Long covers the Arkansas Razorbacks for the Southwest Times Record and USA Today Network. You can follow her on Twitter @christinalong00 or email her at clong@swtimes.com.
This article originally appeared on Fort Smith Times Record: Arkansas football DB Jalen Catalon out for season with shoulder injury
