The biggest hit to Oregon came in the first quarter of the Ducks’ opening game at Mississippi State.
Haloti Ngata injured his left knee in Oregon’s 42-34 win.
Starting with the first week of fall camp, injuries have piled on the Ducks, adding up to 11 players through seven games who are out for the season. More come and go as their injuries flare up.
“The number of people who are out for the season has hurt us more than the dings and the nicks, because what it’s done is probably create some of those dings and nicks,” Oregon head coach Mike Bellotti said.
In Oregon’s 59-14 loss to Arizona State, the Ducks added two more players who will sit out at least one week.
Fullback Luke Rowley will not play this week and may have his season ended prematurely due to concussion problems.
Bellotti said wide receiver Kellen Taylor will not likely play again this season because of a broken left wrist. Taylor must remain in a cast for six weeks, but it is possible he could play if Oregon reaches a bowl game.
Jason Fife sprained his left ankle in the second half Saturday, but he continued to play. After taking Monday off from practice, the quarterback was back on the field Tuesday with a brace on the ankle.
“With the guys we’ve got out, the younger guys have to step up and realize — I mean, (freshman quarterback) Johnny (DuRocher), he’s only a couple plays away before he’s thrown into the mix,” Fife said.
Bellotti has said repeatedly that DuRocher will redshirt this season unless circumstances call for him to play. The way injuries are adding up for Oregon, the two quarterbacks — Fife and Kellen Clemens — are at one of the few positions to not have major upheaval.
“If you have 11 players down, the other guys are more susceptible to the dings and nicks because they’re working harder,” Bellotti said. “We’ve got to back off a little bit, but the problem with that is that if you’re not playing well enough to win, you can’t back off.”
The Ducks will scrimmage Thursday, and Bellotti intends to give the team Friday through Sunday off to help heal.

Goodbye helmet,

hello playbook
Junior Stephen Clayton normally dishes out hits hard enough to hurt himself, and that’s his problem.
“It’s a major decision I had to make to stop playing football,” Clayton said. “I’ve been doing it for 14 years.”
After sustaining multiple concussions during his Oregon career, as well as lingering effects from a concussion in the Washington State game, Clayton is calling his playing days over.
“Talking with coach Bellotti and deciding I had an opportunity to stick around with the team, I’m going to be helping out with scouts,” Clayton said. “I felt like it was time to start the second part of my life, which is hopefully coaching.”

Clemens or Fife:

Debate continues
Clemens’ first two passes in the Arizona State game were picked off by Sun Devils. Fife led the Ducks in their two scoring drives. Combined, the two went
9 of 26 in
the game.
“I’m not happy with the way things are going (with the quarterbacks),” Bellotti said. “I don’t think it’s any one more than the other. It is somewhat an open competition … but I still will hold until next week to figure out who will start.”