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Oregon cornerback Jahlil Florence is out for Pac-12 title game

Jarrid Denneyby: Jarrid Denney12/02/23jarrid_denney
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© Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports

Oregon starting cornerback Jahlil Florence will miss the Ducks’ Pac-12 title game showdown with Washington.

Florence has been playing through lingering injuries for much of the season and was sidelined during last week’s 31-7 win over Oregon State in Eugene. Lanning said on Monday that it was unclear if Florence or freshman cornerback Rodrick Pleasant would be available to play this week.

Pleasant went through warmups in full pads and is expected to be available.

Florence has been a key figure for Lanning and Tosh Lupoi’s defense in 2023. The true sophomore took hold of a starting job opposite Khyree Jackson early in the year and has played 392 snaps — the eighth-most among all Oregon defenders.

In 11 games, Florence has recorded 27.0 tackles, 2.0 tackles for loss, one interception, and one sack. Accoridng to Pro Football Focus, he has been targeted in coverage 38 times and surrendered 24 receptions.

Junior Dontae Manning is expected to start in place of Florence. Junior Trikweze Bridges and sophomore Nikko Reed could play key roles for Oregon against Washington, too.

 “I think we have a lot of corners in that room that have done a great job of competing,” Lanning said on Monday when asked what Manning has done to earn playing time recently. “What was exciting to see for Dontae (against Oregon State) is some of those 50-50 balls, being able to go up and get a pick last week was huge for him. … You do everything you want to replicate that in practice. It’s hard to replicate. It really happens in the game experience. So, having some of that great experience, he started making some of the plays that we certainly expect him to be able to make and look forward to seeing him continue to grow as a player for us.”

It appears that Florence’s absence is the only significant one for the Ducks. Receiver Gary Bryant Jr went through warmups in full pads and will be available to play.

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