Oregon QB Dante Moore Done for 2026 Season Following September Concussion
Coach Dan Lanning confirmed the decision Monday after Moore took a late hit against USC on Sept. 26.
By Fatima Popov ·
Oregon quarterback Dante Moore will not take another snap in 2026, coach Dan Lanning said Monday. Moore has been sidelined since Sept. 26, when USC linebacker Desman Stephens II struck him late to the head. The program closed the door on any return this season after medical evaluations over the past week.
Before the injury, Moore had completed 69.7% of his passes for 926 yards with nine touchdowns and no interceptions across the Ducks' early schedule. He had thrown for 3,565 yards and 30 touchdowns on 71.8% accuracy last season, when he received third-team All-Big Ten recognition.
Lanning said he cannot place Moore in game action but can control his participation in practice. "We really got clarity for us this last week," Lanning said. "If it was up to Dante in any shape or way, he would want to be out there playing for the guys. Unfortunately, it's not really up to Dante."
The coach added that Moore will work against Oregon's first-team offense during practice periods. "We're getting one of the best scout team looks every single week in practice, and he looks good out there," Lanning said. He said he does not anticipate Moore returning to game action this season.
Oregon has alternated between backups Dylan Raiola and Brock Thomas since Moore went down, and the Ducks rank among the weakest offenses in Big Ten conference play. Lanning said he is looking for steadier play at the start of games. "We've been a really good quarterback room off the bench," Lanning said. "We haven't been a very good quarterback room consistently at the start of games."
Moore returned to college after last season rather than enter the NFL Draft, where he was projected as a first-round selection, to compete for a national championship. Under the NCAA's five-year eligibility rule, he could play for Oregon again in 2027, and he remains projected as a first-round pick in the 2027 draft. Lanning said he has not spoken with Moore about his plans. "He'll have a decision at the end of the season about what that looks like," Lanning said. "I don't know where his mind is at."
Oregon, now 4-3 and 2-2 in Big Ten play, hosts No. 20 Northwestern on Saturday.
Source: CBS Sports
