Oregon injury updates: Dan Lanning addresses timeline for multiple Ducks players

The Oregon Ducks are looking to get healthy for the second half of the season as they make a run at a Big Ten Championship Game. This comes as several key players are dealing with injuries.

In the lead-up to Oregon’s potentially challenging matchup against Illinois, head coach Dan Lanning was asked about the status of tight end Terrance Ferguson, offensive lineman Matthew Bedford, and edge rusher Jordan Burch. For the time being, he’s going to wait and see how each player progresses individually.

“We’ll wait as the season goes and how the week goes to see where those guys are at and if they’ll be available for us this weekend,” Lanning said.

Ferguson missed last week’s 35-0 win over Purdue after needing to have his appendix removed during the week. That’s a surgery on his abdomen that could have some lasting impact as he tries to get back on the field. He’s now been with the Ducks since 2021 and has become a major factor in the team’s offense. So, far this season, he’s made 20 receptions for 321 yards.

For his part, Bedford has been dealing with an injury he initially suffered in training camp but re-aggravated in the Oregon State game. That injury was part of what has forced Lanning to shuffle the offensive line at times.

Jordan Burch was unable to play against Purdue after he was a surprising late scratch from the team’s lineup against Ohio State the week before. While Dan Lanning has been vague about the exact nature of his injury, he has also noted that it’s been a major loss for the Oregon defense.

“Jordan is certainly a loss for us,” Lanning said. “You don’t replace a Jordan. He’s been unbelievable this season. But in football, it’s about the next man up. And I know Jordan’s probably sitting at home just as proud of these guys being able to do next-man-up mentality.”

Burch is dealing with a lower-body injury that he suffered during practice. This is his second season since transferring into the program from South Carolina. In five games, he has 19 total tackles, including seven tackles for a loss and five sacks.

Oregon is now ranked first in the AP Top 25 Poll. That means that the Ducks have a target on their back and are going to get everyone’s best shot moving forward this season. That starts with a ranked Illinois team coming to Eugene on Saturday.