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Dan Lanning provides injury updates on pair of key Oregon offensive linemen

Jarrid Denneyby: Jarrid Denney08/29/23jarrid_denney
Jackson Powers-Johnson
Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

For the past several weeks, Oregon has been rolling without a few players who are expected to crack the two-deep for Saturday’s season-opener with Portland State.

Junior offensive lineman Jackson Powers-Johnson, junior offensive lineman Nishad Strother, redshirt junior linebacker Jestin Jacobs, sophomore defensive back Khamari Terrell, and freshman EDGE Teitum Tuioti were among the players who were absent during the most recent practice that was open to reporters last Wednesday.

During his Monday press conference, Lanning provided a few status updates.

“Yeah, I think so,” Lanning said when asked if Strother and Powers-Johnson will be able to play on Saturday. “Nishad will be a question. But (Powers-Johnson) was practicing with us today and is doing great.”

In a separate question, Lanning was also asked if Jacobs and Terrell will be able to go on Saturday.

“Yeah, we should have our guys available,” Lanning said. “Right now, we’re still waiting to see what it looks like as we get closer. We have some guys that still have to get healthy.”

Powers-Johnson is expected to start at center for Oregon this season. After excelling in a reserve role for the Ducks last season, he took hold of the center job early in fall camp. But Powers-Johnson has been absent during the four most recent open practices.

Strother, who transferred in from East Carolina during the offseason, is in contention with Marcus Harper II to start at left guard. Strother was not seen during the open portion of last Wednesday’s practice. He currently has a sling on his right arm.

If Strother is unavailable to play for the Ducks on Saturday, Harper would be the likely starter at left guard. Sophomore Dave Iuli could also be counted on.

“(Iuli) has taken a big step since his freshman year. He’s a guy that prides himself when he’s on the field,” Lanning said. “He practices with energy and enthusiasm; he wants to do right. You can hear him encouraging his teammates when he’s out there. But he’s got size and he’s got strength, right? So it probably starts there. And when you’re a guy that can move bodies because you have a big body that’s, a plus when it comes to the offensive line.”

Jacobs, an Iowa transfer who is expected to start at inside linebacker, was also absent during practice last week. The same is true for Terrell, who is vying for playing time at STAR.

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