The Oregon Ducks season is getting into a dire spot after a second loss was suffered last week against the UCLA Bruins, and going forward, Dan Lanning's team is out of wiggle room if they want to compete for a spot in the College Football Playoff and keep their national championship dreams alive.
However, it doesn't appear that things are going to get any easier, with the Nebraska Cornhuskers coming to town, and starting quarterback Dante Moore once again ruled out after the concussion he suffered in Week 4 against the USC Trojans. That will leave either Brock Thomas, Dylan Raiola, or Akili Smith Jr. under center with the start, and a big onus on the offense to show some improvement.
While the Big Ten Availability report was released on Wednesday
and will again come out on Thursday and Friday nights, we've got some intel on where things stand with each injured player and whether or not they will be able to contribute this weekend.
Here's our early look at who we think could potentially be out or limited in this game on Friday night.
Out/Not Playing
QB Dante Moore
There was some hope that Dante Moore might be able to give it a go this week after returning to practice following his concussion, but the fact that he was ruled "out" in the first availability report, and not even "questionable," is not a great sign for an expedient return. We will see if Moore is able to go next week against Illinois, but it could still be a couple of weeks before we see No. 5 back on the field, if at all.
WR Jeremiah McClellan
McClellan has been out for a few weeks now after suffering a broken foot in warmups before the Portland State game, and has been seen wearing a walking boot during games. We will see when he is able to get out of the boot and back to practice, but it might still be several weeks, at the least.
S Aaron Flowers
Dan Lanning told media members on Wednesday afternoon that starting safety Aaron Flowers was expected to miss the "foreseeable future" after undergoing surgery on an undisclosed injury. Flowers missed the Week 6 game against UCLA, and will be a major loss for the Ducks going forward.
"He's going to be done for the foreseeable future. (It's) something he tried to tough out. You know, credit to him. Sometimes you can play through that, but you're probably not going to play as well. But it's one of those ones where it made sense to get it repaired for him."
LB Brayden Platt
According to head coach Dan Lanning, Platt is still dealing with an undisclosed injury that held him out of the spring game earlier this year. Oregon's coach does not expect him to return to the field anytime soon.
"He's gonna be limited for a while with the injury he felt in the spring," Lanning said of Platt. "I don't want to put a timeline on it, but he's going to be out for some time until we see where he's at and continue to progress and challenge himself."
DL Tony Cumberland
After being involved in a car accident earlier this year, freshman defensive lineman Tony Cumberland is also expected to be sidelined for the foreseeable future, delaying his college debut.
"It's a work in progress with him," defensive line coach Tony Tuioti said. "I don't think it's going to be anything that we'll be able to see him soon. But he's made so much progress. I think the thing that's most important is that we have him with us, and just having him in the room brings a smile to all our faces."
WR Dillon Gresham
After suffering a neck injury during fall camp a year ago, Gresham was held out for the entire 2025 season and has yet to return to the field. Oregon still has him on the roster, but it doesn't sound like he will be back anytime soon.
"There's not really a clear indication that Dillon's going to be able to help us here in the future," Lanning said of Gresham earlier this fall. "He'll be a part of our team, but you know, from a medical standpoint, I don't know if it's clear that he'd be able to."
LG Trent Ferguson
After starting the game against Oklahoma State, Ferguson was forced to the sideline in the first half with a knee injury that Dan Lanning says is expected to hold him out for the remainder of the season.
"We won't probably get to see (Ferguson) again," Lanning said. "I feel bad for that kid because he's worked really hard."
RB Simeon Price
Colorado transfer RB Simeon Price is yet to play this year and has been seen in street clothes wearing a walking boot recently during Oregon games. There is not an update on when he is likely to return to the field for Oregon.
Probable To Play
WR Evan Stewart
A new addition to the availability report on Wednesday is starting WR Evan Stewart, who played well in last week's matchup vs. UCLA. I am digging to find out more information on Stewart and why he is appearing on the injury report, but from what I've gathered thus far, I would lean towards him playing on Saturday night.
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This article originally appeared on Ducks Wire: What we're hearing on Oregon injuries ahead of Nebraska
