Oregon’s backfield took a hit ahead of its Week 1 meeting with Boise State, and it’s the kind of loss that changes the shape of an offense fast.
Running back Jordon Davison suffered a broken collarbone in practice and is expected to miss several weeks, according to multiple reports. That makes him a long shot to be available when the Ducks host the Broncos at Autzen Stadium in three and a half weeks.
Kickoff is set for 1:30 p.m. Mountain time on Saturday, Sept.
Zachary Neel of Ducks Wire first reported that Davison is expected to be out six to eight weeks, though he also noted there is some optimism inside the program that the timeline could come down. Even so, the early read is clear: Oregon should plan on opening the season without one of its most important offensive pieces.
Davison was Oregon’s No. 2 running back last season behind Noah Whittington, and he made the most of that role. He finished with 667 rushing yards and a team-high 15 touchdowns on 113 carries. Whittington, who had 129 carries for 829 yards and six touchdowns in 2025, is now with the Houston Texans.
A 6-foot, 236-pound back out of Mater Dei High School in Southern California, Davison arrived in Eugene with serious credentials. He was a four-star recruit and the No. 12 running back nationally in the 247Sports class of 2025 composite rankings, and he chose Oregon over Alabama, Michigan and Ohio State.
He wasted no time getting on the field. As a true freshman, Davison scored three touchdowns in the Ducks’ 2025 opener against Montana State and found the end zone at least once in 10 games.
His season also included a clavicle injury in Oregon’s College Football Playoff quarterfinal win over Texas Tech. Without Davison, the Ducks lost to eventual national champion Indiana in a Peach Bowl semifinal.
Now the job likely shifts to fellow sophomore Dierre Hill Jr., who appears set to lead the running back room against Boise State. Hill, listed at 5-foot-11 and 205 pounds, was productive as a freshman last season with 75 carries for 656 yards and five touchdowns, plus 16 receptions for 137 yards and another score.
He flashed big-play ability throughout the season, including a 71-yard run in the loss to Indiana and touchdown runs of 66 yards against Northwestern and 56 yards against James Madison.
Oregon’s depth chart behind Hill includes redshirt sophomore Da’Jaun Riggs, who had 17 carries for 86 yards in 2025, Colorado transfer Simeon Price, who logged 21 carries for 143 yards and two touchdowns, and four-star freshmen Tradarian Ball and Brandon Smith.
Boise State’s run defense will be something to watch in this matchup. The Broncos gave up 162.1 rushing yards per game last season, which ranked 84th nationally, and interior defensive line play is listed as one of their biggest question marks heading into 2026.
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