Oregon quarterback Dante Moore returned to practice on Monday ahead of Saturday’s home game against No. 21 UCLA, head coach Dan Lanning confirmed. Moore suffered a serious concussion in the Ducks’ win over USC, and his status for the Big Ten clash remains uncertain.
“Dante was out there at practice for us today,” Lanning told reporters. “Similar to what we said before, we’re going to continue to make sure we do what’s best for Dante as we move forward. Obviously, we’ll have an injury report that’s released later on this week that will detail what that looks like, but it was great to see him back out there with his teammates.”
Moore’s return to practice is a positive sign for Oregon, though Lanning declined to say if Moore will play against UCLA. The Ducks’ injury report, released later in the week, will provide more clarity on his availability.
If Moore is unable to take the field, Dylan Raiola is expected to start at quarterback. Raiola stepped in admirably during the USC game and gave the Ducks a steady option under center. Lanning praised Raiola’s preparation and attitude ahead of what could be his first start with Oregon.
“Dylan’s got to keep doing what he’s been doing,” Lanning said. “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.”
The upcoming game at Autzen Stadium carries added significance for Moore, who transferred to Oregon this offseason after spending one season at UCLA. Moore initially committed to UCLA just before the 2022 early signing day, where he played under former Oregon head coach Chip Kelly before moving north to Eugene. Whether or not he suits up, the Ducks face the Bruins in a matchup that could carry personal weight for their quarterback.
The game kicks off at 12:30 p.m. Pacific Time and will be broadcast live on CBS. Oregon enters the contest seeking a crucial win against a ranked opponent to bolster its position in the Big Ten.
Fans and followers can track updates on Moore’s status and other team news through the Ducks’ official channels, including @Ducks_Wire on X and the team’s Facebook page.
The injury report expected later this week will be the latest development on Moore’s availability as Oregon prepares for its showdown with UCLA.
According to Yahoo Sports.
