EUGENE, Ore. - Oregon’s first availability report of the week brought mixed news for a showdown with USC: tight ends Jamari Johnson and Kendre Harrison are both questionable, while starting nickel Carl Williams IV is probable.
The update on Wednesday evening lined up with the tone Dan Lanning set Monday, when he sounded optimistic about both tight ends.
"I feel good about Kendre, and Jamari was out there today. Both those guys, I think, will get more and more reps throughout practice as we go throughout the week, and should have availability [against USC ]," Lanning said of the tight ends.
Johnson opened the season with four catches for 57 yards and a touchdown, then sat out the next two games against Oklahoma State and Portland State because of an undisclosed injury. Harrison filled in with his first career start on Friday, catching four passes for 53 yards before leaving in the second half. He was taken to the locker room early and did not return.
Williams’ status also tracks with what Lanning said earlier in the week. The nickel back was injured in the loss at Oklahoma State after colliding in midair with quarterback Drew Mestemaker as he was going toward the end zone. On Monday, Lanning said he expected Williams to play this week.
Freshman wide receiver Jalen Lott could also be nearing his Oregon debut. He has been sidelined for the first three games after breaking his hand during fall camp and is listed as doubtful. Lanning said Monday that Lott began practicing this week, but added, "I don't know that you'll see him in this game."
Four Ducks were ruled out for Saturday, and none of those names came as a surprise: wide receiver Jeremiah McClellan, running back Simeon Price, linebacker Brayden Platt and offensive lineman Trent Ferguson.
McClellan broke his foot in the hours before last week’s game, according to Lanning on Monday. Ferguson suffered a season-ending knee injury in Stillwater. Lanning has not addressed Price’s injury, though he has not dressed in a game this season, and Platt also has yet to appear in a game.
USC released its own injury report as well. Elijah Newby is probable, while Jahkeem Stewart, Deshonne Redeaux, Alex Graham and Jadyn Walker are questionable. Trent Mosley is doubtful, and Corey Simms, Kendarius Reddick, Taybo Johnson and Killian O'Connor are out.
The Big Ten’s new injury-reporting policy means both teams will keep updating their statuses on Thursday and Friday at 5 PM, then again two hours before kickoff on Saturday.
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For Oregon fans, the appeal is bigger than any single box score. It is the old pipeline story again, with the programs best pro products still showing up in starting lineups, on defensive snaps, and in the daily churn of NFL rosters. Mariotas place in that mix is especially notable, and the bigger question now is how long this latest chapter keeps the Ducks conversation centered on Sundays. [Read more 🡒]
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For Oregon, the timing is worth watching because Stewart has the kind of presence that can change how an opposing offense has to operate inside. His return is not here yet, but the fact that it is moving in that direction gives USC another threat to consider as both teams head into a game with plenty riding on the early-season Big Ten race. [Read more 🡒]
Dante Moore Faces A Bigger Oregon Test Than Fans Wanted
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Now comes a different kind of pressure point with USC on deck, and it is one of those games where Oregon will need more than efficiency from its quarterback. Moore will have to elevate his play even as the line issues remain unresolved, because the Ducks are about to find out how much margin for error they really have when the opponent can force them to operate under stress. [Read more 🡒]