Austin Simmons reportedly ‘could be available to play’ vs. Arkansas, but not expected to start
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Austin Simmons isn’t expected to start at quarterback for No. 17 Ole Miss on Saturday night when the Rebels host Arkansas in a 7 p.m. ET kickoff on ESPN, according to a report by On3 on Saturday afternoon.
The report by On3 said that Ferris State transfer Trinidad Chambliss would “likely” start for Lane Kiffin‘s team, which is trying to get to 3-0 and stay undefeated in the SEC. Simmons led the Rebels to last week’s victory at Kentucky, but he suffered an ankle injury in the win, and that injury is what reportedly will keep Simmons from starting the Week 3 primetime showdown against the Razorbacks.
According to another report from On3’s Chris Low on Saturday, there’s still a chance that Simmons could be available to play, depending on how he looks during pregame warmups. The report said that Ole Miss has been keeping a close eye on Simmons all week, and the Rebels’ plan was for him to dress and go through warmups with the intention of being the backup to Chambliss.
Chambliss has seen very limited action so far this season while playing behind Simmons. He has completed 4 of 6 passes for 59 yards, 1 touchdown pass and 0 interceptions.
Meanwhile, Simmons has thrown for 576 yards in the 2 victories over Georgia State and Kentucky, with 3 TD passes and 4 interceptions.
Cory Nightingale, a former sportswriter and sports editor at the Miami Herald and Palm Beach Post, is a South Florida-based freelance writer who covers Alabama for SaturdayDownSouth.com.
