Heading into what could be a pivotal Top 25 matchup for the 23rd ranked Ducks, every single advantage matters. Both Oregon and Ohio State are dealing with significant injuries, especially as both Julian Sayin and Dante Moore are missing extended stretches and possibly the rest of the season. Missing your starting quarterback is a big enough strain on an offense, but Oregon has battling injuries all over that side of the football.
Key weapons Jamari Johnson, Jeremiah McClellan, Messiah Hampton, Evan Stewart, and Jalen Lott have all missed games this season, adding to the issues for the Oregon Ducks. While some of those pieces have returned to the lineup, Dan Lanning’s staff will be without a new playmaker on Saturday.
Jordon Davison expected to miss Saturday’s game
While the first availability report of the week doesn’t come out until Wednesday Night, Oregon didn’t need to wait that long to get disappointing news. According to CBS Sports’ Matt Zenitz, Davison will be out this weekend with a lower body injury, but it doesn’t appear to be a long-term injury.
Oregon is expected to be without standout running back Jordon Davison against No. 12 Ohio State Saturday due to a lower extremity injury, sources tell @CBSSports.
— Matt Zenitz (@mzenitz) November 4, 2026
On a positive note, it’s considered a short-term injury and a week-to-week type situation, per sources. pic.twitter.com/W0MCLESIGF
Davison was injured in the first half of the Northwestern game on a screen pass that left him limping off the field. Oregon was without their star back in the second half, and now it appears he could be out a while longer. During the second half, Davison returned to the sidelines on crutches, which is always a concerning sight to see.
Jordon Davison leads the Ducks in rushing this season with 91 carries for 439 yards and 7 touchdowns. Davison has been especially effective in short yardage situations for the Ducks, which will be worth watching in this game.
The big concern now is going to be the health of Dierre Hill Jr. who also left the Northwestern game with an injury. If the Ducks are without both Davison and Hill, the pressure is much higher on Dylan Raiola and the passing attack which hasn’t been the most stable.
Everyone should feel a little bit calmer with the fact that the Ducks did just play a full half without the duo. Freshman running back Brandon Smith seized the opportunity in the second half, rushing for 82 yards and a touchdown on just 8 attempts. This game should serve as Smith’s biggest workload yet, and it’ll be exciting to see what he has in store for an encore.
After Monday Night’s College Football Playoff rankings reveal, this matchup suddenly has massive stakes for both teams. The Ducks are now a Top 25 team, and whoever loses this matchup likely won’t have a path to the CFP, while the winner will have a resume building win.
Oregon faces Ohio State at 12:30 PM PT on Saturday or 3:30 PM ET from Columbus, Ohio.
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