INJURY UPDATE: Dan Lanning, The Oregon Ducks Coach, Provides Favorable News On Jordan Burch’s!!

The top-ranked Oregon Ducks defeated the 20th-ranked Illinois Fighting Illini 38-9 at Autzen Stadium to maintain their undefeated record. The flawless 8-0 Ducks easily won the game, largely due to quarterback Dillon Gabriel’s four touchdowns. Gabriel accumulated 292 passing yards, including three passing touchdowns and one rushing touchdown.

Despite the absence of star defensive end Jordan Burch, the Ducks still dominated on defense. Following the game, Coach Dan Lanning of Oregon provided a report on Burch’s rehabilitation progress and current situation.

Lanning mentioned that Burch did minimal activities at the conclusion of our practice last week. We will keep assessing and decide on the most suitable option for him and our team.

Burch, who was said to have sustained a non-contact, lower-body injury during practice on Oct. 10, was labeled as “questionable” for the Ohio State game and ruled “OUT” for Oregon’s matches with Purdue and Illinois.

Oregon’s defense recorded three sacks and intercepted Illinois quarterback Luke Altmyer twice, with Tysheem Johnson and Sione Laulea each making a pick. Johnson was the top performer for the Ducks, recording a total of 10 tackles.

In the absence of Burch, Matayo Uiagalelei has significantly contributed to Oregon. Uiagalelei currently tops the Ducks in sacks with 5.5 and has a total of 21 tackles.

Fortunately, coach Lanning anticipates Burch will make a comeback this season. Many NFL scouts anticipate that Burch will be selected in the early rounds of the 2025 NFL Draft. Following the victory against Ohio State, Lanning expressed pride in the Oregon players for stepping up while Burch was absent.

“Jordan is definitely missed,” Lanning commented following the victory over Ohio State. You cannot substitute a Jordan. He has been phenomenal this season. However, in football, it’s all about the next player stepping in. I am aware that Jordan is likely at home feeling just as proud of these individuals embodying the mentality of stepping up.

Burch has accumulated five sacks and seven tackles for loss in a span of five games. The 6-foot-6, 295-pound defensive end just won Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week for his impressive display in the Ducks’ 31-10 victory against Michigan State.

In the victory against the Spartans, Burch achieved his highest career sack total with 2.5, in addition to recording four tackles and his inaugural fumble recovery. He was the initial Duck to achieve a minimum of 2.5 sacks in a game at Autzen Stadium since 2007.

Prior to the 2024 college football season, Burch was once again selected for The Athletic’s “Freak List,” a compilation of the most extraordinary athletes in college football created by Bruce Feldman.