Dan Lanning provides injury updates on Oregon stars Justin Flowe, Brandon Dorlus
Oregon features as much star power on the defensive side of the ball as any team in the Pac-12.
Despite losing 2021 All-Americans Kayvon Thibodeaux and Verone McKinley III from last season’s squad, the Ducks boast no shortage of talent throughout the two-deep. During spring ball, however, three players who will be key to Oregon’s success this fall were stuck on the sideline.
Defensive linemen Brandon Dorlus and Popo Aumavae — both of whom garnered first-team all-conference honors last year — were each out with shoulder injuries for the entirety of the spring.
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Justin Flowe, who suffered a season-ending foot injury in last year’s Week 1 matchup with Fresno State, also missed a large chunk of the spring. A former 5-star recruit and the second-highest ranked recruit in program history, Flowe has played in just two games during his two collegiate seasons.
He was trending in a positive direction in his recovery toward the end of April and took part in 11-on-11 work on several occasions — although, he did not play in Oregon’s spring game.
During the 2022 Pac-12 football media day in Los Angeles on Friday, Oregon coach Dan Lanning fielded questions from reporters and was asked specifically about the health status of Aumavae, Dorlus, and Flowe.
“Yeah, I won’t spend a lot of time talking about injuries,” Lanning said. “But I will say all three of those guys are doing really well this summer and we definitely think they’re going to be a big part of what we’re doing this season.”
Flowe, an Upland, Calif., native stole the show during Oregon’s season-opening win over Fresno State and garnered Pac-12 freshman of the week honors after racking up 14 tackles, a tackle-for-loss, and a forced fumble.
But it was revealed in the days that followed that he had suffered a foot injury during that game. He was on the sideline in street clothes during Oregon’s Week 2 win at Ohio State and was officially ruled out for the season shortly after.
On Friday, Lanning was asked specifically about Flowe and how he sees the redshirt freshman fitting into his defense.
“Justin was another guy that I actually recruited while I was at Georiga,” Lanning said. “Obviously he’s a dynamic athlete. He’s a really talented player — a specimen. I think at this point, he’s played five quarters. So I think Justin will tell you that yes, there are high expectations and he hasn’t been able to execute to the level he wants to yet because of injuries.
“I have great belief in Justin as well as all of our linebackers on our roster. … I’m excited to see him continue to develop. I’m glad that he’s healthy and ready to go perform.”
