Austin Novosad injury update: Dan Lanning reveals where Oregon backup QB stands

The Oregon Ducks are coming off a dominant win over the Oklahoma State Cowboys, which allowed multiple backups to see action. However, backup quarterback Austin Novosad was notably absent from the rotation as he’s dealing with an injury.

Novosad’s injury wasn’t clear going into the game. Now, however, Oregon head coach Dan Lanning has shared that Novosad is dealing with a Lat injury. It’s not a massive issue, but it was enough to keep him out of the Oklahoma State game.

“More precautionary, probably, than anything,” Dan Lanning said. “I think Austin can go, but his Lat has been bothering him a little bit. He’s been able to practice, but we’re just trying to limit him and get him into a position where he can go again.”

Lanning didn’t share when Novosad suffered the Lat injury. He did, however, play against Montana State in Week 1. In that time, which offered him limited passing opportunities, he completed one of two passes for 40 yards. That was the seventh game he’s played in during his three college seasons, all of which he’s spent at Oregon.

Austin Novosad came to Oregon as a four-star recruit in the Class of 2023. A Dripping Springs, Texas native, he was the 113th-ranked player nationally and the 10th-ranked quarterback in that recruiting cycle.

In place of Austin Novosad, the Ducks played Luke Moga and Brock Thomas served as backup quarterbacks for Oregon. For his part, Moga completed two of three pass attempts for 53 yards. He also rushed for 22 yards. Thomas threw one incomplete pass.

Coming into the season, Austin Novosad and starting quarterback Dante Moore battled for the job. That would roll into August, and it ultimately ended in Novosad becoming the backup. At the time, Dan Lanning praised both of his quarterbacks for how they were competing and developing as players.

“I’m excited about the growth of everybody in our quarterback room,” Lanning said. “For me, it’s can they operate the offense at a high level? I think if you go back and look at the moments where those guys first got here and you say ‘we should’ve made this check but we didn’t’ or ‘we shouldn’t have adjusted to this and didn’t. It’s just the way you use your cadence to command the offense and the way you break a huddle. All those areas have been a big improvement, and then a couple of plays hit and all of a sudden everybody’s confidence goes up.”

Next week, Oregon is set to begin Big Ten play and make its first road trip of the season against Northwestern. Hopefully, the Ducks won’t need to turn to a backup, but if they do, getting Novosad healthy is going to be crucial.