The Oregon Ducks are officially in game week mode, and the stakes couldn’t be higher. With the College Football Playoff kicking off this Saturday, Oregon is gearing up to host James Madison in a first-round showdown. After a two-week break to rest and recover, the Ducks are not only refreshed-they might be reloaded.
Head coach Dan Lanning offered a dose of optimism this week, hinting that two of Oregon’s top wideouts-Dakorien Moore and Gary Bryant Jr.-could be on the verge of returning. While Lanning didn’t commit to a timeline, his comments suggest that the Ducks might not be done seeing these playmakers just yet.
“Those guys are making great progress,” Lanning said on The Zach Gelb Show. “I feel like there’s gonna be an opportunity for us to see these guys again before the season’s done. But we’ll see how it all plays out.”
Let’s break that down. Moore, Oregon’s breakout freshman receiver, hasn’t suited up since late October.
He went down with a non-contact knee injury during practice leading up to the Iowa game, and while the injury looked serious at the time, it was never expected to sideline him for the entire season. Before the setback, Moore had already made a strong impression: 28 catches, 443 yards, and three touchdowns through eight games.
For a freshman, that’s not just promising-it’s electric.
Then there’s Bryant Jr., the veteran presence in the Ducks’ receiving corps. He suffered an ankle injury in the first quarter against Iowa and hasn’t played since.
But prior to that, he was one of the most dependable targets on the roster, racking up 25 catches for 299 yards and four touchdowns over nine games. His route-running, experience, and ability to find soft spots in coverage made him a go-to option in critical moments.
In their absence, Oregon hasn’t missed a beat-at least not on the scoreboard. Malik Benson, Jeremiah McClellan, and Kenyon Sadiq have all stepped up in meaningful ways.
Benson’s speed has stretched defenses, McClellan has shown poise beyond his years, and Sadiq has emerged as a versatile threat who can line up all over the field. The Ducks' offense has remained dynamic, balanced, and explosive.
But let’s be clear: getting Moore and Bryant Jr. back would be a game-changer. This isn’t just about depth-it’s about what those two receivers bring to the table that’s hard to replicate.
Moore’s big-play ability and Bryant Jr.’s reliability in clutch situations add layers to an already potent attack. In a playoff environment where every possession matters and matchups are magnified, having those extra weapons could tilt the field in Oregon’s favor.
As the Ducks prepare for James Madison, there’s plenty of confidence in the locker room-and for good reason. Oregon has shown it can win without two of its top receivers. But if Moore and Bryant Jr. are able to return, even in a limited capacity, it could be the spark that pushes this team from playoff contender to legitimate title threat.