Spring practices are in full swing for Oregon football. With a May 2 date set for the annual spring game, the Ducks are trying to maximize their 15 allotted practices.
As usual, the main objective of these practices is to get new players acclimated quickly as well as getting returning players back up to speed. Another objective is to let banged up players ease back into the daily grind through rehab and lighter workouts.
The current landscape of the Oregon roster is a little different from what it will look like heading into the fall. Veteran linemen DeForest Buckner (DL) and Tyler Johnstone (OL) are both taking spring workouts with a cautious approach as they recover from injuries.
In the meantime, they’ve have made a conscious effort to help in any way they can from the sidelines.
“Coach Helfrich’s rule is that, if you’re not going full, you’re a coach,” defensive coordinator Don Pellum said.

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Questions exist at the defensive line and secondary. With the departure of longtime players Ifo Ekpre-Olomu, Tony Washington, Arik Armstead and others, the Ducks have had to scramble to find their next functioning rotation.
Having said that, the team feels like there is no shortage of talent to eventually replace their now departed stars, especially in the secondary.
“This defense is still forming its identity,” Pellum said. “I think we have some extremely talented guys (in the secondary).”
For the defensive line, Christian French has surfaced as the next potential leader. Alongside Buckner, French is expected to help fill the void Armstead leaves.
Friday, Buckner admitted French and former Oregon and current Miami Dolphins defensive lineman Dion Jordan were athletically comparable.
“I think French is at that level athletically,” Buckner said. “He just needs to tune up the little things with his technique, but he’s looking pretty good so far.”

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The Ducks lost a key offensive lineman when Andre Yruretagoyena announced his retirement from football prior to this season.
His best friend and now former teammate Johnstone had the following to say at Friday’s practice:
“Him and I had a long talk about it (retirement),” Johnstone said. “He’s one of my best friends here and my roommate. He’s ready to move on and ready to do something else; take the next step in his life after this term, so I’m happy for him. I think he’s doing really well. He’s losing the weight he wants to now. I mean, you don’t want to be 300 pounds when you’re done with football, you don’t need that weight in any other facet of life.”
Follow Hayden Kim on Twitter @HayDayKim