Oregon quarterback Dante Moore is not expected to play again this season after missing the past three games while recovering from a concussion, head coach Dan Lanning announced Monday.
The news is a major setback for the Ducks, who entered the season with national championship ambitions and Moore among the leading contenders for the Heisman Trophy. Oregon began the campaign ranked No. 2 in the Associated Press preseason poll, but injuries and offensive inconsistency have derailed much of that momentum.
Moore, who was projected to be a potential top-three selection in the 2026 NFL Draft before deciding to return to Oregon for his senior season, has not yet received medical clearance to resume playing.
“If it was up to Dante in any shape, way, he would be out there playing for the guys,” Lanning said, emphasizing that the decision was not about Moore losing interest in the season.
“This isn't a selfish decision on Dante's part, saying, 'I don't want to come back, the season doesn't look the way I want it to look.' That's not at all what this is.”
How Moore Suffered His Concussion
Moore sustained the injury during Oregon’s Sept. 26 game against USC.
In the second quarter, the quarterback scrambled upfield and attempted to slide before being hit late by linebacker Desman Stephens II. Moore remained on the field for an extended period before being transported by ambulance to Los Angeles General Medical Center for evaluation.
The Ducks subsequently confirmed that Moore had suffered a concussion. His MRI and CT scans came back clean, but the initial imaging results did not mean he was ready to return to football.
Moore has missed three games since the incident. Although he resumed practicing and throwing in recent weeks, the coaching staff declined to establish a firm return date.
Lanning said the program received greater clarity about Moore’s situation during the latest week of evaluations. He also explained that the decision was beyond the coaching staff’s control because playing in a competitive game presents risks that cannot be replicated during controlled practice sessions.
“We said before that this is a serious deal that he'll 100% be able to fully recover from, that hasn't changed,” Lanning said. “But for him to be out there on the field for us, that's not going to happen. We'd love to have Dante out there, he's still going to be a big part of this team.”
The coach’s comments indicate that Oregon is prioritizing Moore’s long-term health rather than risking a premature return.
Moore Was Having an Outstanding Season
Before the injury, Moore had established himself as one of the country’s most productive quarterbacks.
Through four games, he completed 69.7% of his passes for 926 yards and nine touchdowns without throwing an interception. His efficiency helped fuel Oregon’s early-season expectations and strengthened his reputation as a potential high NFL Draft selection.
His development had been particularly impressive following a strong 2025 campaign, when he led the Ducks to a 13-2 record.
Moore finished that season with 3,565 passing yards, a 71% completion rate and 30 touchdown passes. His performance attracted praise from opposing coaches and NFL scouts, and he was widely projected to be among the first players selected in the 2026 draft.
Instead, Moore chose to return to Oregon, hoping to build on that success and compete for a national championship.
His injury has now brought that season to an abrupt halt.
Oregon’s Offense Has Struggled Without Its Starter
The Ducks have found it difficult to replace Moore’s production.
Oregon has scored fewer than 20 points in each of the three games he has missed, losing two of those contests. Backup quarterback Dylan Raiola and third-string option Brock Thomas have both taken turns starting, but neither has provided the consistency the offense needs.
The struggles became increasingly apparent in Saturday’s 21-10 defeat against Illinois. The loss further damaged Oregon’s hopes of reaching the College Football Playoff for a third consecutive season.
Moore’s absence has affected more than the passing game. His ability to manage the offense and make plays under pressure had been central to Oregon’s success, and the replacements have struggled to establish a similar rhythm.
The coaching staff now faces the challenge of finding a reliable offensive identity without its most accomplished quarterback.
Offensive Coordinator Fired After Illinois Defeat
Oregon made another major change following the loss to Illinois, firing offensive coordinator Drew Mehringer on Sunday.
Lanning announced Monday night that Jay Johnson, an offensive analyst and quarterbacks coach in his first season with the Ducks, would assume playcalling responsibilities.
Johnson brings extensive college coaching experience dating back to 1994. Before joining Oregon, he served as offensive coordinator at Wyoming and Michigan State.
Lanning said the change was intended to improve consistency and give the offense a fresh direction.
“Ultimately, I felt like we needed to be able to develop more consistency there, and this gave us a spark and an opportunity to be able to do that,” Lanning said.
The coaching change comes at a difficult time for Oregon, which must adjust its offensive approach while continuing to evaluate its quarterback options.
From UCLA Starter to Oregon Star
Moore began his college career at UCLA, where he started as a freshman during the 2023 season. He threw for 1,610 yards and nine touchdowns but also recorded 11 interceptions during his first six games before being replaced by backup Ethan Garbers.
He transferred to Oregon during the offseason, arriving as the Ducks prepared for the 2024 campaign with Oklahoma transfer Dillon Gabriel as their starting quarterback.
Moore spent that season behind Gabriel before taking over the starting role the following year. His subsequent development turned him into one of college football’s most highly regarded quarterback prospects.
The progression from a struggling freshman at UCLA to an elite prospect at Oregon demonstrated how much his game had improved. His latest injury, however, has interrupted that development at a crucial point in his college career.
What Moore’s Injury Means for His NFL Draft Stock
Moore’s decision to return to Oregon rather than enter the 2026 NFL Draft initially carried significant expectations. His production in 2025 had positioned him as a potential top-three selection, but his current absence introduces uncertainty about his next steps.
According to ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr.’s rankings cited in the supplied report, Moore is now listed as the 25th prospect for the upcoming 2027 NFL Draft.
His final draft position will depend on several factors, including his medical recovery, evaluations by NFL teams and how scouts assess his previous performances.
The most immediate priority, however, is his health. Lanning has reiterated that Moore is expected to make a full recovery, even though he will not return to the field for Oregon this season.
Oregon Must Finish the Season Without Moore
The Ducks entered the year hoping to compete for a national championship, but Moore’s injury, offensive struggles and the coaching change have significantly altered the outlook.
Johnson will now take responsibility for calling the offense, while Oregon’s remaining quarterbacks attempt to provide greater stability.
For Moore, the focus shifts to recovery and preparing for the next stage of his football career. His absence leaves a substantial gap in the Ducks’ lineup, but the program has made clear that it will not rush him back simply to salvage the season.
Oregon must now find a way to finish the campaign without its starting quarterback, while Moore begins the process of moving beyond an injury that has changed the course of his senior year.
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