In stark contrast to the past year’s story lines, injuries seem to be close to a non-issue at this point of the season for Oregon football.
According to Oregon coach Mike Bellotti, the team’s trainers have said every player on last week’s travel squad will be available this week, recently a rare occurrence.
Oregon will also likely regain the services of sophomore rover Marvin Johnson, who has been sidelined with a left knee injury but returned to full pads for practice this week. Johnson last saw the field against Utah State, recording seven tackles in the game. He was a key special teams player and also saw the field as an extra defensive back in long-yardage situations.
“Barring any setback we should have him available, which would obviously help in the defensive backfield and on special teams,” Bellotti said.
On the offensive side of the ball, the only injured player of note is junior tight end Ed Dickson. Dickson is available and will play but has been inconsistent recently, due in part to a leg injury suffered earlier in the season that has limited his practice reps over the last few weeks.
“Ed Dickson has played somewhat inconsistently,” Bellotti said. “He’s been dinged a little bit in terms of a leg injury that is sort of, not chronic, but doesn’t seem to go away.”
With Dickson nursing the injury, sophomore running back Malachi Lewis has seen an increase in practice and game reps with the first unit.
“Malachi Lewis has been given more opportunities and I think he’s made quite a bit of those. He’s improving as a football player,” Bellotti said. “They’re both great athletes and playmakers who both have to improve their blocking, in all honesty, but have the potential not just to catch the ball but catch the ball and make big plays so I’m excited about their development.
“We’re gradually getting Malachi more reps and I think he’s earning those. And I think it keeps Ed fresh,” he said.
Watch party Saturday at Hayward Field
The athletic department’s Office of Student Services and the ASUO have organized a watch party for the Oregon-Cal game Saturday on the big screen at Hayward Field, according to Oregon Media Services. The game will be broadcast regionally at 12:30 p.m. on ABC.
Gates will open at 11:30 a.m. and admission is free with a suggested donation of two non-perishable food items.
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