Oregon's ground game took a gut punch in fall camp this week. Star running back Jordon Davison suffered a collarbone injury and could miss six to eight weeks, putting his availability for the season opener in doubt.
Last year the true freshman exploded for 667 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns, leading the Ducks and tying for second in the Big Ten. He scored in 10 of 14 games at 5.9 yards a carry. With Noah Whittington now in the NFL, Davison was primed to share the load with Dierre Hill Jr. in a dangerous backfield tandem.
This might be a re-break of the collarbone that ended his 2025 playoff run against Indiana. There's hope in Eugene he'll return ahead of schedule, but the timeline still threatens the September 5 home clash with Boise State.
Hill Jr. rushed for 656 yards and five scores last season at an eye-popping 8.7 yards per carry, so the Ducks have a capable replacement. Quarterback Dante Moore is back too after lighting it up, and Oregon's offense ranked near the top of the Big Ten in yards and points.
Still, losing a 15-touchdown back even briefly tests the depth as Big Ten play approaches, including that nasty road trip to USC. Every practice update from now on will have Ducks fans holding their breath. If he can beat the 6-8 week mark, Oregon stays scary. If not, Hill will have to step up big time against a tough early slate.