Sting factor: Trey McNutt injury, Dickey suspension shake Oregon depth chart

Trey McNutt is the bigger loss, in terms of his upside and path to playing time. The five-star safety possesses gamebreaker talent, elite, athletic and smart. At 6-0, 195 he has the twitch and the body type to play immediately and an advanced understanding of the game.

Both players were third on the depth chart at their respective positions, but expectations were higher for the Navy All-American from Shaker Heights, Ohio, the kind of elite ballhawking safety who plays as a true freshman with an eye to reaching the draft in three seasons.

It's reportedly a hairline fracture of the right leg, for which a typical recovery time would be 6-8 weeks. He has a redshirt available but may not need it.

Historically, 65 percent of five-stars get drafted into the NFL, but only 22 percent make it to the first round. Even for the most talented of players it's an uphill climb, and one of the reasons is injuries.

Expect McNutt to be the type to grow and rise.

This is a resilient and well-coached team, deep in talent at safety, wide receiver and everywhere else. Within the team the prevailing reaction to adversity like this is resolve.

Nobody wants to see a teammate get hurt or run into disciplinary problems, but within the room the response is to pray for them followed by gearing up for the opportunity this presents. It's go-time for those next in line or just ahead of them.

This clears the way for Gary Bryant Jr., Maklik Benson, and Jeremiah McClellan, Kyler Kasper. Cooper Perry has a route to early playing time. For KIngston Lopa, Peyton Woodyard and Aaron Flowers, it's time to think like a Game One starter. Na'eem Offord's versatility and football intelligence become an even more important asset.

It underscores the important of Dillon Thieneman's leadership in the back end, his ability to communicate and set the secondary before the snap, to recognize what the offense is trying to do from film study.

From a troubled area in East Palo Alto, Jurrion Dickey never quite found his footing as a student-athlete or at the college level. Injuries and difficulty fitting in to the culture plagued him. His suspension is a crossroads, an opportunity to reset.

For the team it reinforces the values of the culture. Dickey can grow and learn and do the work to earn back his place, or he can bail and look for an easier route to a second chance. It takes growth to embrace a hard lesson, something to watch in the coming days.

That was Dickey at Oregon Media Day. In the heat of Fall Camp and the intensity of competing for playing time, things happen. Scuffles and frustration. You either grow through the consequences, or bail.

It's Dickey's turn now, facing a challenge like Traeshon Holden did last year after a spitting incident, or LeGarrette Blount did after a heated moment at midfield in the aftermath of a frustrating loss. It's what you do next that makes all the difference.

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