Will Jordan Burch play against Illinois? Injury update on Oregon's defensive end

Oregon defensive end Jordan Burch hasn't seen in-game action since the Ducks hosted the Michigan State Spartans in Week 6 of the 2024 college football season. He suffered an injury during practice leading up to Oregon's game against Ohio State and had to sit out of the big-time matchup.

The next week, as the Ducks flew to Purdue, Burch was sidelined once again. So, as Oregon prepares for its top-20 matchup against Illinois in Week 9, will Duck fans see Burch return to the field or remain on the sidelines?

Jordan Burch injury update

On Monday evening, in a press conference, head coach Dan Lanning shared a brief and less-than-detailed update on a few players who have struggled with injuries this season.

Tight end Terrance Ferguson missed Oregon's game against Purdue and offensive lineman Matthew Bedford has been injury for nearly a month. Burch, alongside the two offensive stars, are reportedly day-to-day as the Ducks continue mid-week practices.

""We'll wait as the season goes and as the week goes to see where those guys are at and if they are available for us," Lanning said.

Following Burch's absence from the Ohio State game, his availability status was downgraded from "questionable" to "out" for the Purdue game. After the Ducks defeated the Buckeyes, Lanning shared an update on Burch from the time of the game:

"We want to do what's best for him," Lanning said. "You know, I do anticipate us being able to use Jordan again, but I don't know that that'll be this week. I don't know that it won't. So we'll just keep evaluating that and see what it looks like." 

Before being sidelined, Burch was a monster on the defensive end of the ball for Oregon. Already this season, over just five games, Burch amassed 19 total tackles, 5 sacks, and 3 pass deflections.

No. 1 Oregon and No. 20 Illinois are scheduled to kick off in Autzen Stadium at 12:30 p.m. PT on CBS.

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