Tosh Lupoi provides injury updates on Oregon's Jordan Burch, Jahlil Florence
It’s still unclear if two of Oregon’s defensive starters will be available for the Jan. 1 Fiesta Bowl.
While meeting with reporters on Thursday, Ducks’ defensive coordinator Tosh Lupoi was asked if starting defensive end Jordan Burch and starting cornerback Jahlil Florence would be healthy enough to play on New Year’s Day.
“They are involved every day. So it will be game-time decisions,” Lupoi said. “It’s great to see them out there and moving around. So I think they are doing a really good job preparing mentally, not getting all the physical reps, but being out there mentally, having a script in their hand and preparing quarterly.”
In 13 games this season, Burch has racked up 33 total tackles and a team-high 7.5 tackles for loss. He has also added 3.0 sacks and ranks second among all Oregon players with 27 quarterback pressures and 20 hurries.
Burch played his best football toward the end of the regular season and produced big performances in wins over USC and Oregon State. During Oregon’s Pac-12 title game showdown with Washington, he suffered an injury during the first quarter and was sidelined for the remainder of the game.
Lupoi was asked Thursday what impact Burch’s absence had on Oregon’s performance during the loss to the Huskies.
“It makes it more difficult; however, it’s part of the game,” Lupoi said. “It’s got to be next man up and you always look yourself in the mirror too. Actually, both games where we played against Washington and not taking away any credit from what they accomplished, what they have done in both games. We didn’t complete the game with the starting corner in the game. And you always have to look yourself in the mirror too of what could I have done better to help us or assist us or possibly adjust or call the game differently, to not necessarily put an individual in a compromised position when you are playing against an elite team as they are.”
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Florence, a sophomore who took hold of a starting job early this fall, is in the midst of a breakout season.
In 11 games, he has recorded 27.0 tackles, 2.0 tackles for loss, one interception, and one sack. Accoridng to Pro Football Focus, he has been targeted in coverage 38 times and surrendered 24 receptions.
But he has been hindered by injuries during the second half of the season and was unable to play in the Pac-12 title game.
Oregon’s other starting cornerback, Khyree Jackson, has opted out of the Fiesta Bowl. Dontae Manning, Nikko Reed, and Rodrick Pleasant could be in contention for playing time during the bowl game.
