Wide Receiver Justin Hoffman Out for the Season

Another player will be forced to stay on the sidelines due to the continuing awareness of concussions from football.

According to The Oregonian, Chip Kelly said Friday that “wide receiver Justin Hoffman will forgo his senior season on the advice of medical personnel.” However, Kelly also stated the former player will be on the sidelines during the season as an undergraduate head coach.

Last season, Hoffman had 10 catches for 133 yards, including a career-long for 33 yards in the 41-28 victory against Washington State. The reception came in the middle of the first quarter and put the Ducks in business in the WSU 26. Ultimately, the team couldn’t convert on a 4th-and-1 and turned the ball over.

Hoffman finished the game with three receptions for 66 yards. It was his career best performance in a game, and also his last contribution to the Ducks. He was sidelined for the remainder of the season, and also sat for the spring game earlier this year.

How much does this effect the team going into this season? Hoffman was not projected as a starter, and was already marked with an injury. Sadly, it was already a possibility that the wide receiver would be forced to retire before the season began. This was just the confirmed, unfortunate conclusion.

It marks the end for Hoffman’s playing career, but all fans will wish him the best in his future. In 2010, he was honored on the Pac-10 All Academic second team; it should be a bright future ahead.

Quote from Chip Kelly on the former wide receiver (from The Oregonian):

"Justin Hoffman epitomizes what a student-athlete should be. No individual has worked harder to make himself a good football player and his contributions have been immeasurable. I am anticipating the impact he makes on this team from a coaching standpoint to be just as great as it was on the field."