The Oregon Ducks enter Saturday with a massive test on their hands as they face off against the 12th ranked USC Trojans. While losing to Oklahoma State wasn't a death sentence for Oregon, it made the path to the College Football Playoff much harder, meaning the Ducks need to win some big games. Given the way the rest of the schedule goes, Dan Lanning's team can't afford to suffer a second loss this early in the season.
In a matchup with this high of stakes, Oregon needs every weapon possible available, and it starts with tight end Jamari Johnson. The elite tight end has missed the last two games of the season after getting banged up in the Boise State game, but there's optimism that he could return to the lineup on Saturday.
Will Jamari Johnson return from injury for Oregon?
On Friday Night, the final availability report for Oregon vs USC was released, and tight end Jamari Johnson was listed as questionable.
Final injury report for Oregon vs. USC before Saturday
— Max Torres (@mtorressports) September 26, 2026
Carl Williams IV no longer on the report. Missed the Portland State game. https://t.co/HyZqQ6wiZD pic.twitter.com/oR8HJhadXE
Seeing that Jamari Johnson is listed as questionable is a great development for the Ducks, as it appears that he'll have a chance to return to the lineup on Saturday Night. On3's Pete Nakos reported that both Johnson and true freshman tight end Kendre Harrison will be game-time decisions, which makes pregame warmups important.
Oregon TEs Kendre Harrison and Jamari Johnson remain questionable on the injury report and will be game-time decisions for Saturday night's game at USC. https://t.co/Cw05noVWwK https://t.co/a9jmWzhMXZ
— Pete Nakos (@PeteNakos) September 26, 2026
Everyone saw in the Oklahoma State game that the Oregon offense is not the same without Jamari Johnson, as the unit and Dante Moore couldn't find any rhythm. While the Ducks have a deep and talented tight end room, Johnson is clearly at another level in the blocking and receiving game with all the experience he's gotten over the years.
In Johnson's lone game played this season, the veteran tight end caught 4 passes for 57 yards and a touchdown. Last season, Johnson had a breakout year after starting his career at Louisville, catching 32 passes for 510 yards and 3 touchdowns.
Oregon's tight end room is a major question heading into this matchup with Johnson's absence, and the status of Kendre Harrison. During the Portland State game, Harrison was having a breakout game, but left at the start of the 4th quarter after taking an awkward hit. The offense is going to need one of the two to join Andrew Olesh in the lineup if the Ducks are going to leave Los Angeles with a Top 25 win.
Further injury updates will be provided as soon as warmups begin.
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