Oregon Ducks Receiver Justius Lowe Injury Update Before Ohio State Game

The Oregon Ducks and Ohio State Buckeyes play each other in the Rose Bowl, and Oregon's wide receiver room is getting a boost after Justius Lowe provided a positive injury update on Monday. Lowe said he's healthy for the College Football Playoff quarterfinals.

Oct 18, 2024; West Lafayette, Indiana, USA; Oregon Ducks wide receiver Justius Lowe (14) is tackled by Purdue Boilermakers linebacker Yanni Karlaftis (14) during the second half at Ross-Ade Stadium. / Marc Lebryk-Imagn Images

Oregon Ducks wide receiver Justius Lowe has emerged as a valuable part of the rotation behind fellow receivers like Tez Johnson, Evan Stewart, and Traeshon Holden. Lowe gave James Crepea of The Oregonian a positive update on his injury status heading into the Rose Bowl against the Ohio State Buckeyes.

"Slant down the middle, typical backer in the box. Got hit in the ribs but I’m all good now," said Lowe.

In a deep receiver room, Lowe's return from injury only bolsters the Oregon offense.

Oct 18, 2024; West Lafayette, Indiana, USA; Oregon Ducks wide receiver Justius Lowe (14) is tackled by Purdue Boilermakers linebacker Yanni Karlaftis (14) during the second half at Ross-Ade Stadium. / Marc Lebryk-Imagn Images

Lowe was injured in the Wisconsin game on Nov. 16, causing him to miss the regular season finale against Washington as well as the Big Ten Championship Game against Penn State. The Ducks receiver was not listed on Oregon's official availability reports before either game, but Lowe has not played since narrow the win over the Badgers mid-November.

Before the Rose Bowl, Ducks wide receiver Tez Johnson was asked by reporters which players on Oregon's roster are poised for a breakout year next season. Lowe's name was Johnson's immediate response.

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"He's the smartest guy I've ever been around, besides by little brother Caleb," said Johnson. "He knows every play. Guy is a 4.0 student. Fast as can be. He's shifty, he'll get you right off the line and run right past you. Justius is, I mean, you can't say nothing else about Justius. Justius should win an award about how connected he is in the receiver room."

After Holden was ejected for spitting on an Ohio State defensive back during the regular season matchup, Lowe's role in the Oregon offense increased significantly. After an injury knocked Johnson out of the Michigan game, Lowe stepped up as a target for Ducks quarterback Dillon Gabriel, and he finished with six receptions for 45 yards.

Oregon Ducks wide receiver Tez Johnson (15) rushes up the field Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024, during the Big Ten Championship game at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. / Grace Hollars/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

In his sophomore year, Lowe finished the regular season with 19 catches for 176 yards and one touchdown. While Lowe doesn't necessarily stuff the stat sheet, Johnson asserted that the young receiver has been a key member of Oregon's roster during this undefeated run.

"Like I learn from Justius so much this year. Some routes out there, I give credit to Justius. I guess some releases I could go out there, I couldn't do it if I didn't watch Justius. . . . All the praise for some of the releases I do. You can learn from him so many ways just by the way he caries himself in the locker room," Johnson continued.

Lowe has been referred to as the team's smartest wide receiver throughout the season. Will he be able to make impact in the College Football Playoff? Oregon and Ohio State will kickoff from the Rose Bowl at 2 p.m. PT on New Year's Day.

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