The Oregon Ducks will be tested at linebacker this season after losing leading tackler Bryce Boettcher in the offseason. Unfortunately, some of the depth in the room is already being tested early in fall camp because of a big injury back in the spring.
Brayden Platt suffered an unknown injury in the spring that kept him off the field for the Ducks' annual spring game in late April. While the extent of the ailment remains a mystery, his absence in fall camp is notable. Dan Lanning noted after Tuesday's practice that the redshirt sophomore linebacker isn't expected to return any time 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."
Platt has been a reserve on the Oregon defense and played on special teams in his two seasons with the Ducks. He missed the start of last season with an injury but appeared in the final seven games and made a pair of tackles. During the Peach Bowl, Platt flipped to running back to help Oregon's depth at the position after multiple injuries and transfers depleted the room. He previously starred at linebacker and running back at Yelm High School in Washington.
Veterans Jerry Mixon and Devon Jackson figure to lead the Oregon linebackers in 2026, while Platt was expected to contend for significant snaps as a backup or rotational player, alongside Gavin Nix and Dylan Williams. However, the injury from the spring will certainly cause Platt to fall behind in that race.
There isn't a clear timetable for Platt to return, but given Lanning's sentiment, the Ducks could be without their rising young linebacker to start the season.
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This article originally appeared on Ducks Wire: Dan Lanning offers unfortunate injury update on Ducks LB Brayden Platt
