Justin Flowe out with significant injury per Oregon head coach Mario Cristobal

Just a week after being named Pac-12 Freshman of the Week, Oregon’s Justin Flowe is out with a significant injury. The linebacker reportedly suffered a foot injury in practice last week according to head coach Mario Cristobal.

Flowe was in street clothes and walking boot on the sidelines on Saturday when Oregon knocked off Ohio State for a massive road win. On Monday, Cristobal addressed the injury and status for Flowe.

“I wish I could say on Flowe what it’s gonna be,” Cristobal said Monday. “It’s a pretty significant injury. We don’t know — always hopeful.

“But it seems to be a little bit longer term.”

The second-year freshman had 14 tackles, one tackle for loss and forced a fumble in Oregon’s come-from-behind 31-24 win over Fresno State in the opening game of the season. Flowe’s 14 tackles led the team, and second-place Verone McKinley III had eight. Additionally, 14 tackles led the conference after Week 1.

Flowe saw increased playing time against Fresno State after starting linebacker Dru Mathis suffered a leg injury. He was the first Oregon player to have 14 tackles and force a fumble in the same game since 2007 and the eighth player in team history to have at least 14 tackles in a season opener, per an announcement from the school.

Last season, Flowe appeared in Oregon’s opener against Stanford and recorded a tackle before suffering an injury in the game. He was sidelined for the remainder of the season but was reportedly back to 100% prior to Saturday.

Flowe is one of several elite defensemen in Eugene right now

Flowe was a consensus five-star recruit and the second-highest prospect to ever sign with the Ducks behind Kayvon Thibodeax according to 247Sports. He was choosing between Oregon, Clemson and USC.

Flowe shares the freshman linebacker spotlight with linebacker Noah Sewell. The other former five-star recruit is brother of 2021 first-round NFL Draft selection and former Oregon offensive tackle Penei Sewell. Oregon fans were excited to see the elite duo line up in Oregon’s front seven, but it appears they will have to wait a bit longer.