Oregon QB Dante Moore Out for 2026 After Concussion
Coach Dan Lanning confirmed the injury on Monday, leaving the Ducks to rely on backup quarterbacks for the remainder of the regular season.
By Takeshi Davidson ·
Oregon quarterback Dante Moore will not play again this season.
Head coach Dan Lanning announced the news on Monday, ending speculation about the injury that sidelined Moore since late September.
Moore suffered a head injury on Sept. 26 during a game against USC. USC linebacker Desman Stephens II delivered a late hit to Moore's head, causing the concussion.
Lanning stated that medical clarity emerged in the week prior to the announcement. He noted that while Moore would prefer to play, the decision rests with the medical and coaching staffs rather than the player himself.
"If it was up to Dante in any shape or way, he would want to be out there playing for the guys," Lanning said. "Unfortunately, it's not really up to Dante. It's not really up to me."
The coach emphasized that a full recovery remains expected. However, Moore will not see game action before the season concludes. He will continue to contribute to the team by serving as a scout team quarterback in practice.
"We're getting one of the best scout team looks every single week in practice, and he looks good out there," Lanning added.
Before the injury, Moore completed 69.7% of his passes for 926 yards and nine touchdowns without an interception. Last season, he earned third-team All-Big Ten honors with 3,565 passing yards and 30 touchdowns.
The Ducks have struggled offensively since Moore left the lineup. The team has alternated between backups Dylan Raiola and Brock Thomas. These inconsistencies contributed to a loss to Drew Mehringer's team on Sunday.
Lanning identified consistency as the primary need from his backup quarterbacks, particularly at the start of games. He noted that the bench unit has performed well, but the starting situations have lacked stability.
Oregon holds a 4-3 record and a 2-2 mark in conference play. The team faces No. 20 Northwestern on Saturday.
Moore was projected as a first-round NFL Draft pick before the 2026 season. He returned to school with the goal of winning a national championship. His status as a likely first-round pick persists, though analysts disagree on his specific ranking. The NCAA's five-year eligibility rule allows Moore to return for the 2027 season if he chooses.
