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Sam Pittman provides surgery update on Jalen Catalon, addresses star safety’s future
Published:
News broke Saturday that Arkansas star safety Jalen Catalon would be out for the remainder of the season due to a shoulder injury.
During his weekly press conference, Razorbacks coach Sam Pittman said Monday that Catalon had undergone surgery earlier in the morning and that the procedure was a success.
Sam Pittman on Jalen Catalon already having successful surgery: He had some slight tears in his labrum in the front and the back. Surgery went well. He’s already been in the facility and went to Wal-Mart to get meds. It went well.
— Thomas Murphy (@TomMurphyADG) October 18, 2021
Catalon, a redshirt sophomore from Mansfield, Texas, had recorded 46 tackles, 6 pass defenses, and 2 interceptions in 6 games this season.
The 5-10, 200-pounder was an All-SEC pick a season ago after registering 99 tackles, 7 pass defenses, and 3 interceptions.
Catalon is eligible to enter the 2022 NFL Draft should he choose to do so, and Pittman was asked Monday if he thought his star safety would be back in Fayetteville next season.
“My thought is he will come back but you’d have to ask him,” Pittman said. “He would know better than me.”
Sam Pittman asked if Jalen Catalon plans to return next season following the All-American's season-ending injury & surgery:
"My thought is he will come back but you'd have to ask him, he would know better than me."
— SEC Mike (@MichaelWBratton) October 18, 2021
While Catalon likely won’t be making any decisions about his future anytime soon, he did take to Twitter Monday to offer thanks for the support he has received.
“Surgery was successful, I appreciate hog nation and everyone for all of the support and prayers,” Catalon tweeted.
Surgery was successful, I appreciate hog nation and everyone for all of the support and prayers #LoveUNO?
— Jalen Catalon (@jcatalon27) October 18, 2021
"Chris Wallace covers college football for Saturday Down South. He has covered college athletics for multiple newspapers and also worked previously for Rivals.com and GolfChannel.com."
