Dan Lanning Provides Injury Updates on Matthew Bedford, Jahlil Florence
No team wants to face injuries, but the Oregon Ducks are dealing with some injuries to key contributors in fall camp.
Following Oregon’s second scrimmage of fall camp on fall camp, head coach Dan Lanning Saturday shared that Indiana transfer Matthew Bedford, a projected starter at guard, will miss some time this season. The 6-foot-6, 315 pounder has played in 41 games throughout his college career and chose the Ducks after originally committing to transfer to Colorado.
“He’s down for a little bit,” Lanning told reporters. ” I think it’s bound to be determined, based on his recovery what that looks like. We’re not gonna be selfishly trying to push him back to get him here tomorrow. I don’t think that’s realistic.”
Fortunately for the Ducks, it doesn’t sound like the injury is believed to be season-ending.
“Will he be able to play games for us this year? Yeah absolutely I think he will,” the head coach said.
Oregon likely has more depth along the interior of the offensive line than at either tackle spot, and former senior Nishad Strother should be part of the competition to replace Bedford while he’s down.
“That’s part of that competitive depth that we talk about. I think Nishad’s worked his tail off to put himself in position to be able to help us as well as some other guys on that interior O-line,” Lanning said Saturday. “That gives us an opportunity to figure out what our best lineup is.”
Junior Dave Iuli was another talented piece in Oregon’s 2022 recruiting class and should be in the mix as well as he works back from an injury of his own.
“He’s closer. What that looks—he hasn’t been full go yet. So we’ll see if we’re able to get him there before season kicks off.”
The injuries haven’t been limited to the offense, as junior Jahlil Florence is aiming to return to form after an injury suffered late last season has sidelined him for nearly the entire offseason.
“He’s not there yet,” Lanning said of the cornerback. “Still conservative on what we’re letting him do. He’s still gonna be aggressive with his rehab and put him in a position where he can go out there and do more for us. But right now he’s not available.”
Oregon kicks off the 2024 season against the Idaho Vandals in just under two weeks on August 31 at home in Eugene.
