INJURY UPDATE: Dan Lanning of the Oregon Ducks Provides Update on Injuries for Terrance Ferguson, Jordan Burch, and Matthew Bedford.

Prior to the game between the No. 1 Oregon Ducks and No. 20 Illinois at Autzen Stadium, coach Dan Lanning provided a concerning update on the availability of star right end Terrance Ferguson, defensive lineman Jordan Burch, and offensive lineman Matthew Bedford.

For the first time in eight years, the top-ranked Oregon Ducks football team is leading the college football standings. There is much to do to secure the victory at Autzen Stadium for the matchup against No. 20 Illinois on Saturday. Nevertheless, Oregon Ducks’ coach Dan Lanning made it evident in his pregame weekly press conference that he does not place much importance on the shining AP Poll ranking and the accompanying media attention.

Lanning said, “It doesn’t matter.”

However, what should matter to Duck fans is the condition of certain key athletes for this week’s game. Jordan Burch, Gary Bryant Jr., Terrance Ferguson, Jahlil Florence, Dakoda Fields, Khamari Terrell, Kyler Kasper, Zach Grisham, Dave Iuli, Matthew Bedford, and My’Keil Garnder were all declared unavailable for the Purdue game last week.

During this week’s press conference, Lanning was specifically questioned about Ferguson, Burch, and Bedford to determine if any of the currently injured players would be able to play in the Illinois game. Ferguson and Burch, both crucial starters for the Ducks, are the most recent players ruled out. Bedford has been absent since the preseason.

Lanning stated to wait and see how the season progresses and how the week unfolds to determine the availability of those guys for us this weekend.

There are updates on each athlete Lanning was questioned about and their current injury status.

Jordan Burch, a senior student who plays as a defensive end.

Burch sustained a lower-body injury without contact and was marked as “questionable” for the Ohio State match and “out” for the Purdue match.

Following the Ohio State game, Lanning commented on Burch’s injury status.

Lanning said to keep assessing it for him. We aim to do what is in his best interest. I expect that we will use Jordan again in the future, but I am not sure if it will be this week. I am unsure if it will not happen. “We will continue assessing that and observe how it appears.”

In the five games Burch has participated in this season, he has played a crucial role in the strong performance of the defensive lines. Burch has tallied 19 tackles and five sacks thus far in the current season. He had a standout game against Michigan State, recording four tackles in total (two solo) and two and a half sacks.

Senior Tight End Terrance Ferguson.

Ferguson is the newest addition to the list of injured Ducks, having undergone appendix surgery just before the Purdue game.

Following the Purdue shutout, Lanning provided an update on Ferguson’s injury status.

“I believe he will return fairly soon,” Lanning stated.

Matthew Bedford, a Senior, is an Offensive Lineman.

Bedford has been indecisive about playing this season, but has not participated in any of the seven games yet. He has been undergoing rehabilitation for a reaggravated right knee injury sustained during practice before Oregon’s game against UCLA.

Prior to the UCLA game, Lanning made a comment about Bedford.

“Coach Lanning mentioned that Bedford got injured during practice recently.” Therefore, attempting to stay informed about his current location. If he can assist us this week, we will accept his help. However, we will always prioritize our players and assess their status in that regard.

Bedford, a senior transfer from Indiana, has not played in any regular season games for the Ducks. Bedford played in all of Indiana’s 2023 season games, starting eleven out of twelve matches as right guard. Throughout last year’s season, he consistently received impressive grades for his pass-blocking and offensive performance from Pro Football Focus, only allowing one sack in 755 snaps.

The injury update for Oregon will be provided two hours prior to the start of the game against Illinois on Saturday, October 26th at 12:30pm.