Oregon Ducks' Dan Lanning Gives Injury Update On Tez Johnson's Shoulder Injury

Oregon Ducks coach Dan Lanning addresses receiver Tez Johnson's shoulder injury. Lanning says Johnson's injury is not season ending, and Oregon expects him to return to play this season. Johnson is not expected to have surgery.

Sep 28, 2024; Pasadena, California, USA; Oregon Ducks wide receiver Tez Johnson (15) celebrates scoring a touchdown the fourth quarter against the UCLA Bruins at Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-Imagn Images / Robert Hanashiro-Imagn Images

The No. 1 Oregon Ducks lost a crucial piece of their team when leading-receiver Tez Johnson suffered a shoulder injury in Oregon's 38-17 win over the Michigan Wolverines in Ann Arbor, MI on Saturday night.

Oregon coach Dan Lanning met with the media on Monday night and addressed Johnson's injury.

"(Tez Johnson) will be down in the near future but I do anticipate getting Tez back,” Lanning said.

Lanning continued to say the severity of Johnson's injury was not as bad as initially feared. Johnson is not expected to have surgery and is expected back in the upcoming weeks.

Oct 26, 2024; Eugene, Oregon, USA; Oregon Ducks wide receiver Tez Johnson (15) looks up during warm ups before a game against the Illinois Fighting Illini at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images / Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images

Johnson suffered the shoulder injury on Oregon's first drive of the game against the Wolverines. Johnson spent around two minutes in the injury tent before heading into the locker room with Oregon's training staff. He had x-rays and came back to the sideline in street clothes and wearing a sling on his right arm/shoulder.

"This guy’s a winner, in every piece of that word—what it means to be a winner," Lanning said after beating Michigan. "Tez is that for us, and we always talk about opportunities, you know, the next mountain... He's a selfless player that plays with crazy passion and energy, and we certainly would’ve loved to have him out there tonight."

Before leaving the game, Johnson caught one pass for 11 yards and electrified with a 21-yard punt return in the first quarter.

Oregon Ducks quarterback Dillon Gabriel and Oregon Ducks wide receiver Tez Johnson celebrate a touchdown by Johnson as the Oregon Ducks host the Idaho Vandals Saturday, Aug. 31, 2024 at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore. / Ben Lonergan/The Register-Guard / USA TODAY NETWORK

Johnson is a beloved teammate and fan favorite. As a child, Johnson visualized scoring touchdowns in Autzen Stadium and celebrating to the sound of the horns thundering through Eugene. Now, in his final season at his “dream school,” Johnson is helping Oregon to an undefeated 9-0 record as major contenders for the Big Ten Championship and the College Football Playoff.

On Instagram, Johnson changed his profile photo to a Dragon Ball Z character in a recovery chamber.

Tez Johnson Injury Update / Tez Johnson Instagram

Last season catching passes from brother Bo Nix, Johnson broke the Oregon record for receptions in a single season with 86 catches. His 2023 statistics jump off the page, leading the power five with 727 yards after the catch and racking up 1,182 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns.

This season, Johnson 64 receptions are just 22 shy of breaking his own Oregon record of 86 from 2023. Oregon quarterback Dillon Gabriel and Johnson established a quick chemistry on the field and off the field as friends.

"Every week we become more and more dynamic," Johnson told Oregon Ducks on SI reporter Bri Amaranthus. "I feel like it's just the quarterback we have - how he thinks of new plays every day. He's just always willing to try the most crazy stuff to see if it works... We go out there right on Saturday and score on (Gabriel's play.) It gives us a lot of confidence in that we can do pretty much anything."

Look for Oregon receivers Evan Stewart, Traeshon Holden and Justius Lowe to step up in Johnson's absence. Next on the depth chart are Jeremiah McClellan and Jurrion Dickey. Oregon hosts the Maryland Terrapins on at 4 p.m. PT on Saturday, Nov. 9 in Autzen Stadium.

MORE: Oregon Ducks Recruiting: Four-Star Commit Alai Kalaniuvalu Flips to BYU Cougars

MORE: Michigan's Sherrone Moore Challenges Big Ten Officiating in Loss to Oregon Ducks

MORE: Oregon Ducks' Dan Lanning on Win Over Michigan Wolverines: 'Nobody Flinched'

MORE: Oregon Ducks’ Dan Lanning Addresses Tez Johnson, Marcus Harper Injuries After Michigan Win

MORE: Big Ten Officiating Called Into Question: Oregon Ducks vs. Michigan Wolverines

MORE: Oregon Ducks' Evan Stewart Makes Incredible Touchdown Catch Wiped By Penalty: Dan Lanning Reacts

MORE: Oregon Ducks, Ohio State Ranked Among Worst Officiating Calls In College Football

MORE: Oregon Ducks College Football Playoff Rankings Preview, Prediction

MORE: [EXCLUSIVE] Oregon Ducks' Tez Johnson Reveals What Makes Quarterback Dillon Gabriel 'Rare'

MORE: Oregon Ducks Predicted To Flip Hawaiian Quarterback Recruit Jaron Keawe Sagapolutele