(Image Credit: 2025 CFP)
Oregon quarterback Dante Moore is not expected to return this season as he continues recovering from a concussion sustained against USC on Sept. 26, head coach Dan Lanning announced Monday.
Moore has missed the Ducks’ past three games and has yet to receive medical clearance to return. Although he has resumed throwing during practice, Oregon will not rush his recovery, with Lanning emphasizing the seriousness of the injury.
“If it was up to Dante in any shape, way, he would be out there playing for the guys,” Lanning said. “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.”
Moore sustained the concussion during Oregon’s Sept. 26 game against USC after taking a late hit from linebacker Desman Stephens II while attempting to slide. He remained on the field for an extended period before an ambulance transported him to Los Angeles General Medical Center for evaluation.
Oregon later confirmed the concussion, although his MRI and CT scans came back clean. Lanning said Moore is expected to make a full recovery but will not return to game action this season.
Moore Was a Heisman Contender Before Injury
Moore entered the season among the leading candidates for the Heisman Trophy after returning to Oregon rather than declaring for the 2026 NFL Draft. The former five-star recruit was widely projected to become a high draft pick following an impressive 2025 campaign.
In four games this season, Moore completed 69.7% of his passes for 926 yards and nine touchdowns without throwing an interception.
He established himself as Oregon’s starting quarterback after spending the 2024 season backing up Dillon Gabriel. In 2025, Moore threw for 3,565 yards and 30 touchdowns while completing 71% of his passes, helping the Ducks finish with a 13-2 record.
His performances strengthened his NFL draft stock, with analysts projecting him as a potential top-three selection before he opted to return for another college season.
Oregon Struggles Without Its Starting Quarterback
The Ducks have struggled offensively since losing Moore, scoring fewer than 20 points in each of their three games without him. Oregon has gone 1-2 during that stretch, with backup Dylan Raiola and third-string quarterback Brock Thomas sharing starting duties.
The team’s struggles continued in a 21-10 loss to Illinois, a result that severely damaged its College Football Playoff hopes. Oregon subsequently fired offensive coordinator Drew Mehringer on Sunday.
Lanning announced Monday night that quarterbacks coach and offensive analyst Jay Johnson would assume playcalling responsibilities. Johnson is in his first season with Oregon and previously served as offensive coordinator at Wyoming and Michigan State.
Despite Moore’s expected absence for the remainder of the season, Lanning said the quarterback would continue contributing to the team in practice and other ways.
“We’d love to have Dante out there,” Lanning said. “He’s still going to be a big part of this team.”
Oregon must now find greater consistency on offense without its starting quarterback as it attempts to finish the season strongly.
