The Oregon Ducks (6-0, 3-0 Big Ten) managed to secure a narrow victory over then-No. 2 Ohio State last week, but they did so without one of their key defensive players, Jordan Burch. The senior defensive end, who leads the team with five sacks, sustained a knee injury during practice and was seen using crutches on the sidelines during the thrilling 32-31 win against the Buckeyes.
While head coach Dan Lanning has not provided a specific timeline for Burch’s return, it appears unlikely that he will be ready for the Ducks’ upcoming game against Purdue (1-5, 0-3) on Friday at 5 p.m. in West Lafayette, Indiana. “Yeah, again, continue to evaluate it for him,” Lanning stated. “We want to do what’s best for him. You know, I do anticipate us being able to use Jordan again, but I don’t know that that’ll be this week. I don’t know that it won’t. So we’ll just keep evaluating that and see what it looks like.”
Here’s an overview of Oregon’s injury report leading up to the game against Purdue:
Injury Report: Oregon Ducks Ahead of Purdue Game
– Jordan Burch — The senior defensive end missed the Ohio State game and is expected to sit out against Purdue as well due to his knee injury.
– Matthew Bedford — The offensive lineman is sidelined indefinitely with a knee injury, having played only a few snaps at the end of the Oregon State game this season.
– Gary Bryant Jr. — The wide receiver, who started 12 games last season, has yet to make an appearance this year. While he practiced last week for the first time in over a month, his availability for Friday’s game remains uncertain.
– Dakoda Fields — The freshman defensive back is recovering from a knee injury, and there is no set timetable for his return, as Lanning indicated on August 28.
– Jahlil Florence — The nine-game starter at cornerback last season continues to recover from a knee injury sustained last November. He has been ruled out for all games this season but has recently participated in practice. “Once Jahlil is ready, we’ll be able to utilize him,” Lanning noted earlier this month. “But right now he’s not at that point yet.”
– My’Keil Gardner — The redshirt freshman, expected to add depth to the defensive line, is out for an extended period due to an undisclosed injury. “We’re anxious to get him back, but it won’t be something that happens overnight,” Lanning commented on August 28.
– Zach Grisham — The redshirt sophomore defensive back has been absent since the Boise State game on September 7 and has been officially ruled out for the last three contests, with an extended absence anticipated.
– Dave Iuli — The veteran reserve guard is working to return from a foot injury he sustained in the spring. Iuli has been listed as out for the first six games but has participated in practice.
– Kyler Kasper — The sophomore receiver missed the last two games due to an undisclosed injury and is expected to be out for an extended period. “I don’t know the timeline right now,” Lanning said Monday. “It might be hard to see him back this year, but I won’t put limitations on him and his ability to get back.”
– Khamari Terrell — The junior defensive back was ruled out for the Michigan State game but returned to practice last week. Although he wasn’t listed on the official availability report for Ohio State, he did not see action against the Buckeyes.
– Sione Laulea — The junior defensive back was marked as questionable prior to the Michigan State game and was not on the availability report for the Ohio State matchup, where he also did not play.
As the Ducks prepare for their clash against Purdue, the status of several key players remains uncertain, making their depth chart and game plan crucial to maintaining their undefeated streak.
