Just a few weeks ago, wideout Tez Johnson landed hard on his shoulder after completing a reception against the Michigan Wolverines and has been out ever since. As the No. 1 Oregon Ducks get ready to take on the Wisconsin Badgers, will Johnson be joining his teammates?
Just over an hour before the Ducks and Badgers were scheduled to kick off, reporter James Crepea shared that Johnson was taking part in pregame warm-ups. However, Crepea also shared that the Ducks' star wide receiver was not dressed in the same warm-up gear as his active teammates and was ruled out for Oregon's matchup against Wisconsin.
Getting warm.#GoDucks pic.twitter.com/u8xbYge8EZ
— Oregon Football (@oregonfootball) November 16, 2024
Prior to his injury, Johnson led the Ducks in receiving through their first nine games of the season. So far this year, Johnson has brought in 64 receptions, 649 receiving yards, and 8 touchdowns for the Ducks.
While Johnson being sidelined is a huge loss for the Oregon offense, the Ducks aren't lacking at the wideout position. Not only can stars Evan Stewart and Traeshon Holden combine to fill the hole left by Johnson's absence but young receiver Justius Lowe and tight ends Terrance Ferguson and Patrick Herbert can further add to Oregon's yardage through the air.
It doesn't hurt to have one of the most experienced quarterbacks in the nation holding the reigns of the offensive unit. Dillon Gabriel is not only in his sixth year of college football but in Oregon's 10th game of the season, the Ducks' QB set the NCAA record for career total touchdowns.
The Ducks and the Badgers are scheduled to kick off at 4:30 p.m. PT on NBC. The two teams are converging in Madison, at Wisconsin's famous stadium, Camp Randall. The last time the two teams met was at the 2020 Rose Bowl when Oregon flew home with a 28-27 win.