Dan Lanning provides multiple Oregon injury updates

No. 13 Oregon is set to host Stanford in its second conference game of the season, a week after opening Pac-12 play with a narrow 44-41 win on the road at Washington State. Coach Dan Lanning provided some Oregon injury updates on Monday ahead of the Stanford game.

First, the news on injured wide receiver Caleb Chapman appears fairly positive.

“Chap I think is close to being able to make some significant, help us out there on the field,” Lanning said. “He’s certainly healthier now than he has been, so his role can grow if he’s able to get it done in practice for us.”

Chapman, a Texas A&M transfer this offseason, did not play in the season opener against Georgia. He logged one catch for 15 yards against Eastern Washington but did not play the past two weeks.

Meanwhile, running back Byron Cardwell continues to make progress following a two-week absence.

“Continue to evaluate where we’re at on Byron,” Lanning said. “Again, when he’s able to do everything in practice and we feel comfortable about his health then he’ll definitely be a guy that can help us and contribute for us.”

The Ducks don’t have a pressing need at running back, where the load has been split heavily. Cardwell contributed 11 carries for 76 yards and a touchdown in the first two games, while also adding four catches for 34 yards and a receiving touchdown.

Finally, Lanning addressed the status of injured offensive lineman Steven Jones, who hasn’t played since the second week of the season against Eastern Washington.

“Not sharing anything on Steven,” the first-year coach said.

Oregon injury updates come as conference play picks up

Lanning’s injury upates at Oregon on Monday come after a brutal non-conference stretch ended last weekend with the Washington State game.

The Ducks faced then-No. 3 Georgia in the season opener, then managed to bounce back from that humbling 49-3 loss with a dominant win over Eastern Washington and an impressive 41-20 victory over then-No. 12 BYU.

Oregon is right back in the thick of the things in the Pac-12 as conference play fires up in earnest.

The Ducks have a fairly back-loaded league schedule, too. There isn’t a game against a currently ranked opponent until back-to-back games against No. 15 Washington and No. 12 Utah come Nov. 12 and Nov. 19.

Games against Stanford this week at home and a road trip to Arizona remain before the team gets nice midseason break with a bye week on Oct. 15.