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Oregon QB Dante Moore Out for Season After Concussion
· Confirmed
In Short: Oregon quarterback Dante Moore is out for the remainder of the 2026 season after sustaining a concussion in a game against USC.
Oregon quarterback Dante Moore has been ruled out for the rest of the season after suffering a concussion during the team's game against USC. Head coach Dan Lanning announced that Moore's MRI and CT scans did not reveal any other injuries, but the team is prioritizing his long-term health.
Moore was stretchered off the field in a scary moment during Oregon's Week 4 matchup against USC after taking a hit to the head from Trojans linebacker Desman Stephens. The quarterback had returned to practice last week, but his status was uncertain.
Lanning expressed confidence in backup quarterback Dylan Raiola, who impressed with 289 yards and two touchdowns against USC. Raiola, who transferred to Oregon from Nebraska this past offseason, started last weekend's game against UCLA but struggled, completing just six of 19 passes for 43 yards and two interceptions before being benched.
During a press conference, Lanning stated, 'If it was up to Dante in any shape, way, he would be out there playing for the guys. But unfortunately, it’s not really up to Dante. It’s not really up to me.' He added, 'We said before that this is a serious deal that he'll 100 percent be able to make a full recovery from. That hasn't changed. For him to be out there on the field for us right now, that's not going to happen.'
Moore's absence has left the starting quarterback position uncertain. Raiola, who was benched against UCLA, will continue to lead the Ducks while Moore recovers. Lanning emphasized the need for Raiola to prepare like he is the starter every day.
The Ducks will face Nebraska in their next game, and they will be without Moore. Lanning said, 'Dylan's got to keep doing what he's been doing. He was wearing a helmet and shoulder pads today and was out there throwing a football. Preparing like he's going to be the guy that goes out there every single day. We need that from every single person on our team.'
While Raiola's performance against UCLA was subpar, Lanning expressed confidence in him continuing to lead the team. However, Raiola's status as the starter remains uncertain until Moore returns.
Lanning continued to clarify that Moore really wanted to return this season, but he isn't allowed to. The coach emphasized that the team is prioritizing Moore's long-term health over short-term gains.
What this adds
The sources have not established a specific timeline for Moore's return beyond the 2026 season.
What's confirmed
- "Dylan's got to keep doing what he's been doing," Lanning said Monday.
- "He was wearing a helmet and shoulder pads today and was out there throwing a football," Lanning said Monday.
- "Preparing like he's going to be the guy that goes out there every single day. We need that from every single person on our team. We don't need anything special from Dylan, other than doing what he's been doing."
- Oregon doesn't expect quarterback Dante Moore to return from his concussion this season, coach Dan Lanning announced on Monday.
- "We said before that this is a serious deal that he'll 100 percent be able to make a full recovery from. That hasn't changed. For him to be out there on the field for us right now, that's not going to happen."
- "If it was up to Dante in any shape, way, he would be out there playing for the guys," Lanning said, adding that Moore has not yet been medically cleared.
- “I'm not anticipating him being back, no,” Lanning said during his weekly news conference in Eugene.
- Oregon star quarterback Dante Moore sustained a concussion on a late hit against Southern California but did not have any other injuries, Ducks head coach Dan Lanning announced on Sunday.
- “I think if it was up to Dante in any shape, way, he would want to be out there playing for the guys. But unfortunately, it’s not really up to Dante. It’s not really up to me,” Lanning said.
- “Dante sustained a concussion in last night’s game, but fortunately his MRI and CT scans came back clean and he did not suffer any additional injuries,” Lanning said in a statement.
What's still developing
- Thomas finished the loss having completed 11-of-15 passes for 156 yards and one touchdown.
- While their struggles began early with a loss to Oklahoma State, things only got worse when star quarterback and expected first-round pick Dante Moore suffered a scary concussion against the USC Trojans that forced him to leave the game on a stretcher and in an ambulance.
- That’s a significant step forward for Moore, but it doesn’t mean he has been cleared to play against UCLA on Saturday.