Dan Lanning provides injury update ahead of No. 25 Oregon's showdown with No. 12 BYU
Oregon is still dealing with a few injury issues as Saturday’s matchup with BYU approaches. But the No. 25 Ducks are, for the most part, healthy at this point.
Dan Lanning met with reporters for his mid-week media availability on Wednesday and was asked about a handful of Oregon players who have been unavailable in recent days.
Steven Jones, Oregon’s starting right guard, was not seen at practice on Tuesday or Wednesday. Lanning was asked if Jones will be available against the Cougars this weekend.
“We’ll see,” Lanning responded.
Oregon’s other starting guard, Ryan Walk, was sidelined with a knee injury last week. Walk practiced on Wednesday, and Lanning said earlier this week he is expected to play on Saturday.
In Walk’s absence, Marcus Harper II and Jackson Powers-Johnson both got plenty of snaps during Oregon’s blowout win over Eastern Washington. If Jones isn’t available against BYU, that will likely be the case again.
“They’re both smart players, and they played with a level of aggression,” Lanning said on Monday. “Jackson, at times, he’s a bull in a china shop. I think he will tell you the same thing. I love his passion and his energy for football. He loves the game. He loves playing ball. And you see that show up on film. I think there are a couple of plays that both those guys would like to have back, whether it be our counter plays and opportunities to kick the defensive ends properly… But overall, impressed with their effort.
“I want to see them both continue to clean up the technical piece of the game.”
Receiver Seven McGee left the EWU game with an apparent injury to his right leg. But Lanning said on Monday that the sophomore will be “ready to go” for Saturday. McGee practiced on both Tuesday and Wednesday.
The only other injury concern at this point is placekicker Andrew Boyle. Lanning said on Monday that Boyle did not play in the EWU game because of an injury. But it sounds as though he could be available, too.
“He was able to practice today; I think we’ll be able to utilize ourselves at full strength,” Lanning said.
