Oregon Enters Bye Week With Health of Key Contributors Up in the Air

Like any team, the Ducks will place a priority on getting healthy during their bye week.

The No. 8 Oregon Ducks (5-0, 2-0 Pac-12) are entering their bye week after a blowout win over the Stanford Cardinal and are turning their focus to next week's rivalry game against Washington.

Following a fairly healthy start to the 2023 season, Dan Lanning's squad has been bitten by the injury bug a bit lately. After running back Noah Whittington suffered an injury against Colorado, the Ducks are now in wait-and-see mode with a couple of their key contributors. 

Starting cornerback Khyree Jackson got banged up over the weekend against the Cardinal and starting nose tackle Popo Aumavae was listed on the team's participation chart, but reportedly didn't play.

Head Coach Dan Lanning was asked about Jackson and Aumavae's status following Saturday's game in Palo Alto.

"I don't completely know yet," he told reporters. "We'll have to get with the medical staff and figure out exactly where they're at. Like I said, strength in numbers showed up today we had some other guys that could go in there and contribute." 

Oregon Opens as Betting Underdog on the Road vs. No. 7 Washington

Fortunately for the Ducks, they have ample depth at both positions, with Colorado defensive back transfer Nikko Reed and junior Dontae Manning stepping up in Jackson's absence and players like Sam 'Taki' Taimani, Casey Rogers, Keyon Ware-Hudson and Jake Shipley rotating in along the interior of the defensive line. 

Oregon Ducks defensive back Nikko Reed celebrates after a play against Stanford :: Pierre Whitsey/Ducks Digest

Oregon Ducks defensive lineman Jake Shipley (90) is one of many players that highlight a deep defensive line under Tony Tuioti :: Pierre Whitsey/Ducks Digest

Senior safety Bryan Addison has also played big role for the Oregon defense, but he wasn't available against the Cardinal. As a result Chris Hampton turned to veteran Steve Stephens IV, who led the team in tackles with eight on the day.

Iowa linebacker transfer Jestin Jacobs has yet to make his Oregon debut as he works back from injury and Lanning is excited about what he can bring to what's looking like a vastly-improved defense.

"He's a great player," the head coach said of Jacobs last week. "As he gets more and more comfortable, obviously we're always gonna be precautionary for him, but as he gets more and more comfortable we're excited to see what he can do for us out there." 

The final player worth a mention is running back Noah Whittington. He was carted off the field against Colorado and we don't have any new info on his availability, but fortunately for the Oregon offense the Ducks have one of the deepest running back rooms in the country and sophomore Jordan James shined as the No. 2 back against Stanford. 

True freshmen Dante Dowdell and Jayden Limar have both played in four games this season, so the next snap they log would eliminate any chance of a redshirt year in 2023.

PREDICTION: Oregon to land All-American defensive lineman