Ambiguous injury timeline casts shadow over Oregon Ducks in their march towards the College Football Playoffs
The Oregon Ducks are currently partying it up under the sunny skies of an undefeated record, but there's a rain cloud off in the distance of the sunny skies in Ducks Land, and that's the health of leading wide receiver Tez Johnson. Johnson left last weekend's victory over the Michigan Wolverines on the first drive of […]
The Oregon Ducks are currently partying it up under the sunny skies of an undefeated record, but there's a rain cloud off in the distance of the sunny skies in Ducks Land, and that's the health of leading wide receiver Tez Johnson.
Johnson left last weekend's victory over the Michigan Wolverines on the first drive of the game after taking a sideline hit on an 11-yard reception. Word on Johnson has been limited, with the exact injury and extent of it being hard to come by.
According to Pete Thamel of ESPN, though, Johnson's injury isn't expected to sideline him for the rest of the season, which is good news.
It certainly sounds like Johnson, who leads the team in receiving yards (649) and receiving touchdowns (8), will miss some time, which isn't ideal, but if Johnson is able to get back in a few weeks' time, that would be a positive development.
Currently, Oregon is sitting as the No. 1 team in the College Football Playoffs rankings, and has three games left in the regular season — vs Maryland, at Wisconsin, and then a bye week before hosting the Pacific Northwest rival Washington Huskies for the last regular season game of the season on November 30. Oregon has their eyes on much bigger prizes, which Johnson's healthy presence for would be crucial.
If Oregon should make it to the Big Ten Championship Game, that contest would be played in Indianapolis on December 7, with a potential No. 1 seed in the College Football Playoffs on the line. In what could be a rematch with Ohio State, Johnson's health and availability for that meeting is massive.
Oregon will continue operate with Evan Stewart and Traeshon Holden as the leading two receivers in Johnson's absence, while continuing to feature their tight end room and running backs in a balanced and explosive offense led by Dillon Gabriel. Here's hoping Johnson is able to make it back when it matters most.
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