Michael Smith has grown accustomed to spending his free time in the training room receiving treatment for a slew of injuries these last two seasons.

And he’s ready for those days to end soon.

Arkansas senior tailback Michael Smith (21) carries the ball past Missouri State junior safety Derek Miller during the Hogs' 48-10 win Sept. 5 in War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock. (Northwest Arkansas Newspapers/ANDY SHUPE)

Smith, who has been sidelined in two of the last three games due to a hamstring injury, believes he’s ready to hit the home stretch of his career with a clean slate and full health.

“Since the hamstring injury, it’s pretty much been a full-time job in the training room,” the senior said. “So I’m glad that I am finally being able to release from that and I can get back on the field, get some rest at home and just try to stay fresh.”

Smith underwent season-ending surgery on a hamstring in the final week of last season, and was injured in some fashion in three of his last five games in 2008. From a concussion, a stinger and a hamstring injury, Smith was banged up to say the least. He spent most of his free time recuperating in the training room, attempting to get back to full speed so he could continue to carry the ball and the load for Arkansas’ offense.

Smith had four consecutive games of 100-yard performances or better last season, but struggled as he dealt with injuries down the stretch.

This year has been a continuation.

“All year, that’s kind of been the trend — waking up to another injury or something hurting,” Smith said. “Now I feel fresh like I did at the beginning of the season.”

The senior has plenty to think about, too. His playing career at Arkansas is winding down and four games remain in the regular season. It’s one final stretch for Smith, who has rushed for 360 yards in six games in his senior year.

“I’ve quickly thought about that, but there’s been so many other things that have been running through my mind — trying to get my hamstring healthy, trying to make sure we’re fully prepared for South Carolina this week, graduating,” Smith listed. “All kinds of things. So I’m not worried about anything down the stretch. It’s kind of day to day and if we take it day to day, we’ll be fine.”

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Here are a few observations today at practice, which you can also find via Twitter by following @wholehogsports.

Cornerbacks Ramon Broadway (hamstring) and Rudell Crim (hip pointer) were practicing during the early sessions of practice today.

Tailback Michael Smith (hamstring) was taking part in hitting drills early in practice and looks to be healthy. Smith has been battling a hamstring injury the last few weeks and has not played in the Florida and Eastern Michigan games.

Also of note, freshman quarterback Brandon Mitchell was at practice today throwing balls. Mitchell, who is recovering from hernia surgery, will play basketball for John Pelphrey’s squad this season. It’ll be interesting to see just how long Mitchell stays at football practice before heading to Bud Walton Arena full time.

UPDATE (7:26 p.m.): Mitchell says Pelphrey and Bobby Petrino met Tuesday. What Mitchell does with football practice, though, remains to be seen as he joins the basketball team.

And what exactly will happen if the Hogs make it to a bowl game? Will Mitchell miss all those crucial, extra practices?

Quarterbacks coach Garrick McGee says he’d like it if Mitchell returned for bowl practices, and said “we’ve got a plan in place.”

One thing is for certain, McGee is supportive of the freshman.

“He is a quarterback for the future. He’s really smart. He’s intelligent,” he said. “The basketball coaches are going to really love coaching that kid, because he really wants to learn. They’re going to really like him a lot.”

Visit WholeHogSports.com and check out the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette for complete football and basketball coverage, including more news and notes from Tuesday’s press conference with Pelphrey.

— Brandon Marcello