Dan Lanning provides key injury updates, talks USC ahead of big game

By admin — In News — September 22, 2026

   ​The Oregon football team has moved past its 84-0 drubbing of Portland State on Sept. 18 and ahead to the biggest game on its schedule to date against USC at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Saturday, Sept. 26.With little room for error the rest of the season, the Ducks (2-1) take on a nationally-ranked Trojans (4-0) side hungry for a breakthrough win against a UO team looking to reassert itself on the nation scene.Speaking to media ahead of the game, fifth-year Oregon coach Dan Lanning provided a series of key updates on injured players − including Jamari Johnson, Kendre Harrison and Jeremiah McClellan − and spoke at length about USC’s offense and what the rivalry with the Trojans means to him.Dan Lanning provides injury update on Jeremiah McClellan, Jamari Johnson and moreIn a rare turn of form from the usually tight-lipped Oregon coach, Lanning revealed several key injury updates ahead of his team’s game against the Trojans. The first, and most devastating to the Ducks, is that wide receiver McClellan broke his foot and will be out indefinitely. He suffered the injury during pregame warmups vs. Portland State.”Fortunately, he’s a tough guy and certainly somebody we relied on and will rely on in the future,” Lanning said. “It’s just a matter of when we can be able to get him back.”The other injury updates were much more positive. Preseason All-American tight end Johnson has returned to practice after sitting out Oregon’s games against Oklahoma State and PSU and reserve Harrison is also trending upwards after a late injury scare vs. the Vikings.Lanning said that DB Carl Williams IV is back this week practicing after a scary collision at the goal line against Oklahoma State and that five-star freshman Jalen Lott has returned to practice but that he likely won’t play against USC.Dan Lanning on rivalry with USC: ‘It’s as intense as it gets’Lanning didn’t shy away from talking up Oregon’s rivalry with USC at his Sept. 21 press conference. The talking point this week won’t be that this game is just like all the others.”It’s certainly not just another game,” Lanning said. “It’s as intense as it gets. We talk about two teams that are competitive that want to be really good that have great talent. It means a ton to the fanbase. I think it’s only grown in my time, since I’ve been here, it means a lot to our team. The big thing is can you focus on the game and not the occasion? Try to be in the moment and focus on your preparation, your execution. But this is certainly a big game.”Lanning is 2-0 in his five years at Oregon against USC and Oregon has won eight of its last 10 games against the Trojans dating back to 2009. Dan Lanning effusive in praise of USC QB Jayden MaiavaNow in his third season at USC, Trojan starter Jayden Maiava is as comfortable in coach Lincoln Riley’s system as he’s ever been through four games. The senior has thrown for nearly 300 yards a game, 12 touchdowns and just one interception on a near 76% completion clip. Lann  

Content Source: Yahoo News

Image Credit: Getty Images

All rights to the news content and images belong to their respective copyright owners.