Mario Cristobal delivers injury updates ahead of Utah showdown
It sounds as though Oregon may not have experienced any major injury setbacks during its win over Washington State.
The Ducks’ roster has been ravaged by injuries this season, but Mario Cristobal seemed optimistic about the players who were dinged up over the weekend, and he did not deliver any major injury news.
Senior receiver Johnny Johnson III left the Washington State game with what appeared to be a foot injury. He was carted off to the locker room and did not return.
Cristobal said Monday that Johnson III is being “evaluated” ahead of Saturday’s showdown with Utah, but the Ducks are “hopeful” that he’ll be able to play.
Ditto for tight end/edge rusher DJ Johnson, who was not in uniform for the Ducks against Washington State.
“He looks like he’s going to be good to go,” Cristobal said.
Freshman linebacker Keith Brown was limited during the Washington State game and played just 10 snaps.
“He tweaked something, but doesn’t seem to be major,” Cristobal said of Brown. “We expect him to be back.”
Freshman linebacker Jackson LaDuke and freshman offensive lineman Jackson Powers-Johnson were both suited up last Saturday and went through warmups, but neither played a snap. LaDuke has not played all season and had a brace on his knee Saturday, while Powers-Johnson is working his way back from a sprained ankle.
“Jackson LaDuke is ready to play. … Jackson Powers-Johnson is ready to play,” Cristobal said. “Both those guys were held back but they were right on the cusp and they were ready to play in an emergency.”
Freshman quarterback Robby Ashford was not in uniform last Saturday but was on the sideline in street clothes. Cristobal said that was due to a minor injury. He shot down the notion that Ashford was sidelined because if his involvement in a postgame altercation with Washington players following Oregon’s win in Seattle.
“Robby is healthy,” Cristobal said. “He hurt something mildly in practice last week but he’s good to go as well.”
