Oregon Ducks’ Dan Lanning on Tez Johnson and Marcus Harper’s injuries after Michigan win

The No. 1 Oregon Ducks outscored the Michigan Wolverines 7-0 on the Ducks’ first drive of the game. However, during the trip, Oregon’s star wide receiver Tez Johnson was injured and left the game.

According to CBS sideline reporter Jenny Dell, Johnson spent about two minutes in the injury tent before heading into the locker room with the Oregon coaching staff. Johnson appeared to be holding his shoulder as he exited the injury tent. Johnson had an X-ray and Oregon coach Dan Lanning had no comment on the CBS broadcast.

After the game, Lanning addressed Johnson’s injury in his press conference.

“Still figuring it out,” Lanning said. “I don’t have any details at the moment. He couldn’t get back into the game.”

Johnson was out for the rest of the game in street clothes and wearing a bandage on the sideline. The CBS broadcast suggested it looked like a collarbone injury or shoulder separation.

Early Sunday morning, the host posted a photo of himself from the game on his Instagram Story. Johnson didn’t caption the photo with any words, but did add a broken heart emoji. Ducks fans can only hope Johnson returns this season.

Oregon offensive lineman Marcus Harper II also left the game with an injury and was unable to return. Harper II was able to walk off the field on his own.

“He told me in the locker room that he was going to be OK,” Lanning said after the game. “Obviously we want to make sure we evaluate it and look at it, but I don’t know if we have an update right now.”

Earlier this season, Johnson spoke with Oregon Ducks with SI reporter Bree Amaranthus about what makes this Oregon offense special.

“I trust everyone on offense – the coaches, the defensive backs, the offensive linemen,” Johnson told Amaranthus. “I give all my moves to the front line players because they literally have to block the front line so I can get the ball. And I think the team trusts me and I trust everyone. It just works together. Everything you do for the team will benefit you in a selfless sense.”

On Michigan’s next punt, freshman wide receiver Ryan Pellum replaced Johnson as the returner. Pellum made a clean catch, but Michigan fumbled on the kickoff return. As a result, the Wolverines’ offense returned to positive territory on the field.

Michigan took advantage, scoring a touchdown on a pass from quarterback Davis Warren to wide receiver Tyler Morris.

On Michigan’s next punt, receiver Evan Stewart replaced Pellum and called for a fair catch.

Ducks fans are hoping the wide receiver’s injury is nothing serious as he has been one of quarterback Dillon Gabriel’s favorite targets, totaling 64 receptions this season. Before leaving the game with an injury, Johnson recorded one reception for 11 yards.

Johnson was on track to break his own Oregon State record of 86 receptions in 2023 with quarterback and brother Bo Nix under center.

Scouts from nearly half the NFL are at the game. Michigan’s defensive line includes future NFL draft picks Kenneth Grant and Mason Graham. Oregon also has some NFL talent on its roster, including defensive end Jordan Burch and tight end Terrence Ferguson, who returned from injury.

The Ducks beat the Wolverines 38-17 to remain undefeated. This is the first time since 2012 that Oregon has started the season 9-0 and the third time in program history (2010).