Following an encouraging message on his Instagram account, fans are speculating that Oregon wide receiver Tez Johnson might return from injury this week.
On November 2, Johnson, who finished first in Oregon with 86 catches the previous season, was sidelined by a right shoulder injury during the Ducks’ 38–17 victory over Michigan.
Johnson is a vital member of the top-ranked squad in the country and leads Oregon in both receptions and receiving yards this autumn, despite missing nearly three games.
Duck supporters received a positive report on their explosive playmaker on Tuesday.
Johnson commented, “He’sssssssssss Backkkkkkkkkkk,” and included a picture of himself in uniform.
When Lanning speaks to the media on Wednesday, he will probably be questioned about Johnson as well as Jordan Burch and Marcus Harper II, two more injured Ducks.
When Lanning speaks to the media on Wednesday, he will probably be questioned about Johnson as well as Jordan Burch and Marcus Harper II, two more injured Ducks.
Oregon will host Washington on Saturday, Nov. 30, following a bye this week. There is no set start time yet.
Williams Jr., a UW freshman quarterback, is vying to start for Oregon.
Demond Williams Jr. was expected to serve as the football program’s future face from the time he stepped foot on the Washington campus earlier this year. The Arizona native led the Huskies to a 31-19 victory against UCLA last Friday, setting the stage for their regular season finale against No. 1 rated Oregon at Autzen Stadium on November 30.
Following fifth-year starter Will Rogers, a Mississippi State transfer who committed to the previous coaching staff under Kalen DeBoer and stayed after speaking with Jedd Fisch back in January, Williams, a 5-foot-11, 187-pound true freshman, has played in all 11 of UW’s games this season.
Fisch stated in his weekly Monday press conference this week that there are more plays available to call with the true freshman at the controls than with Rogers. This is primarily because of Williams’ dual-threat ability, which was demonstrated against No. 6 Penn State when he ducked past two pass rushers and scampered for a 43-yard gain late in the fourth quarter.
Williams once again showed off his magic in the pocket against the Bruins last week, using his legs to transform a sure sack into a good gain on the ground.
“He has the whole offense available,” Fisch remarked of the recent arrival. “I would call Will for anything that I wouldn’t call for Demond. He has access to the entire offensive, but we are placing him in specific circumstances, each of which has its own tiny box.”
Williams came in for two or three plays at a time during the early months of the 2024 season, but as Rogers struggled to lead the offense at Iowa, PSU, and most recently, UCLA, his role has grown.
There is no danger in starting the true freshman against the Ducks because UW already secured a bowl bid after defeating the Bruins.
Fisch said as much on Monday, pointing out that the regular season finale at Auzten Stadium is akin to a one-game season. This feeds the rumor that Williams might start on November 30 after his two-goal performance against UCLA and his experience playing in the yearly White Out game at PSU two weeks ago.
Williams has completed 39 of 53 of his pass attempts this season, or 73.6 percent of his total, for 369 yards and three touchdowns without making an interception.
His only mistake occurred in Week 2 against Eastern Michigan when, with 4:14 left in the fourth quarter, he sprinted for 13 yards and lowered his shoulder into Peyton Price, causing a fumble.
Fisch explained his approach, saying, “We won’t reveal who our starting quarterback will be. When we face Oregon a week from Saturday, we’ll take the field with one of the two quarterbacks.”
