No. 6 Oregon had more than lightning to deal with in Stillwater on Saturday. While the Ducks’ game against Oklahoma State was delayed by strikes in the area, the bigger hit for Oregon was the absence of starting tight end Jamari Johnson, who was ruled out with an undisclosed injury.
Johnson didn’t dress for the game, and transfer tight end Andrew Olesh got the start in his place. ESPN’s broadcast noted that Johnson is sidelined, though there’s no timetable yet for when he’ll be back. His status will be something to watch as Big Ten Conference play gets closer.
That matters because Oregon’s conference slate brings official injury reports starting with USC on Sept. 26.
For now, Johnson’s availability is also something to monitor ahead of the Ducks’ game against Portland State, and whether he appears there could offer the first real hint about where things stand. Dan Lanning has been quiet on injuries, so Johnson’s absence against Oklahoma State caught plenty of people off guard.
Even so, Johnson was spotted during a break playing catch with quarterback Dante Moore, according to 247Sports’ Erik Skopil.
The Ducks can survive without him, but there’s no denying what Johnson means to Moore. In 2025, while backing up former Oregon tight end Kenyon Sadiq, Johnson put together 32 catches for 510 yards and three touchdowns. He also opened the 2026 season strong, grabbing four passes for 57 yards and a touchdown in Oregon’s win over Boise State.
Oregon’s offense had a shaky start against Oklahoma State, with Moore missing on his first two throws and the Ducks opening with back-to-back three-and-outs. The only score through the first quarter came from defense, when linebacker Devon Jackson took an interception 96 yards for a pick six to put Oregon up 7-3.
With Johnson out, Olesh suddenly has a much bigger job. He spent his freshman season at Penn State, redshirted without seeing game action, and arrived at Oregon as a four-star transfer and the No. 18 tight end in the portal, per 247Sports. He impressed in the spring game, but few expected him to be starting in Week 2.
Oregon does have other weapons to lean on, especially at receiver, where Evan Stewart, Dakorien Moore and Jeremiah McClellan give the Ducks plenty of firepower.
In Other News...
Dante Moore Suddenly Has Oregon Fans Worried About A Bigger Problem
Dante Moore came into the season carrying plenty of attention after choosing to return to Oregon rather than head to the NFL Draft, and his opener at least offered some early reassurance. But the first half against Oklahoma State was a different kind of test, the sort that can quickly shift the conversation around a quarterback expected to steady the Ducks in a big spot. NFL scouts were on hand to watch him closely, and the performance did not help quiet the scrutiny.
Moore completed just 5 of 15 passes for 45 yards and took two sacks before halftime, missing several key throws and never quite finding the kind of rhythm Oregon needed. The Ducks also had bigger issues than just the passing game, with the defense struggling to contain Oklahoma State as Oregon went to the break down 10 points. For a team that entered the night with postseason ambitions and a quarterback under the microscope, the first-half concern was less about one bad stretch than the possibility of a larger problem unfolding. [Read more 🡒]
Oregon Suddenly Has Injury Concerns In The Spots It Can Least Afford
Dan Lannings postgame injury update came with a little more concern than Oregon would like this early in the season, especially after a loss that already leaves plenty for the Ducks to sort through. Tight end Jamari Johnson, who was hurt in the previous game and missed practice this week, does not appear headed for a long-term absence, but the deeper issue is the line of players who were forced out against Oklahoma State and the roles they occupy.
Offensive lineman Douglas Utu and his replacement Trent Ferguson both left the game with injuries, which is the kind of development Oregon can least afford along the front. Running back Jordon Davisons status is still unclear, and while defensive tackle A'Mauri Washington was able to return for situational snaps after briefly exiting, the Ducks are suddenly waiting on several key answers at once as they try to rebound from the setback. [Read more 🡒]
Oregon Has A Bigger Problem Than The Halftime Score Against Oklahoma State
At halftime against Oklahoma State, Oregon was still hanging around on the scoreboard, but the first 30 minutes told a far less comforting story. The Ducks trailed 24-17, and the bigger issue was how thoroughly they were being controlled on both sides of the ball, with Oklahoma State piling up yardage while Oregon leaned on a couple of deflected passes to stay within striking distance.
Dante Moore has not been able to settle the offense, completing 5 of 15 passes for 45 yards without a touchdown, and the passing game has been hampered by drops as much as accuracy. The ground attack has not offered much relief either, leaving Oregon with a lot to clean up if it wants to avoid letting a shaky half turn into something much worse. [Read more 🡒]