Dan Lanning provides injury update on Marcus Harper
One of Oregon’s key offensive linemen was missing when the Ducks held their second spring scrimmage on Saturday.
While meeting with reporters on Saturday, Ducks’ coach Dan Lanning said Harper, who is in the mix for a starting spot along the interior next season, did not participate Saturday at Autzen.
“No, he’s not,” Lanning said when asked if Harper was able to give it a go on Saturday. “We’re going to be precautionary with Marcus and not put him back out there in the fire.”
Harper missed Oregon’s previous two practices.
**Observations from Oregon’s 10th spring practice**
A redshirt junior who carved out a starting spot at left guard last season, Harper played 710 offensive snaps in 2022 — the most of any Oregon returning offensive lineman.
After Steven Jones suffered a long-term injury early in the season, Harper was inserted into the starting lineup and became a valuable player for the Ducks. Pro Football Focus issued him a pass-blocking grade of 81.1, which was the second-best among Oregon offensive linemen who played regularly.
While he played exclusively at left guard last year, Harper’s versatility is one of his greatest assets. In past seasons, he has repped at tackle and guard for the Ducks.
“Versatility is the name of the game,” Harper said earlier this spring. “It helps us as an offensive line know that, God forbid somebody goes down, we know we’ve got this person who can dominate, who you can insert anywhere and not fall behind.”
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This spring, Harper and junior Jackson Powers-Johnson are both in the mix to replace three-year starter Alex Forsyth as Oregon’s No. 1 option at center.
Both Harper and Powers-Johnson have been repping at center and guard throughout the spring.
“I was under Forsyth’s wing for three years and I still talk to him as much as I can,” Harper said earlier this spring. “It’s all about reps and watching film. That’s one thing that man did; that man for sure worked. I put in work, so stuff will happen. I don’t want people to make it seem like because Forsyth’s gone, this offensive line is going to deteriorate just because he’s not there. I’ve got some areas to improve in and so does everybody on this offensive line and this whole team.
“That’s what I’m going to focus on the entirety of spring and fall camp and we’re going to see what happens after the season.”
Harper isn’t the only key Oregon offensive player who has been dinged up this spring.
Starting tight end Terrance Ferguson will miss the remainder of spring ball, Lanning announced last week.
