Terrance Ferguson and Gary Bryant Jr. will they come back?

EUGENE- Number 1 Oregon ducks and No. 20 Illinois fighting the Illini They will face each other on Saturday, October 26 at the Autzen Stadium. While both teams have had success this season with top-25 finishes, these programs also have uncertainty regarding key players. For Big Ten Conference rules, official player availability reports will not be published until two hours before kick-off, leaving fans and analysts waiting to see which influential players will take the field. However, here’s a projected look at the potential for damage on both sides:

Oregon has not yet confirmed the offensive guard’s status Matthew Bedford, who has only played a handful of snaps this season, with his first action coming briefly in Week 3 against Oregon State. Winger Gary Bryant Jr., who appeared in 12 games last season, has yet to make his season debut after an extended absence from practice due to an undisclosed injury. He returned to practice ahead of the Purdue game, but his availability remains unconfirmed.

No more defense Jordan Burcha key player in Oregon’s defense, he injured his knee in practice before the game against Ohio State and missed the last two games. His return would significantly add to the Ducks’ defensive depth, but his status remains undecided.

The Ducks are also waiting for a possible return of the tight end Terrance Fergusonwho underwent an appendectomy and was unavailable against Purdue. Ferguson, a key figure in Oregon’s offense, could provide valuable versatility if he is ready to play this weekend. However, the Ducks are more likely to keep Ferguson after such recent surgery.

Some Ducks have a longer road to recovery, including rookie defenseman Dakoda Fields, who has been sidelined since late August with a knee injury and has no set return timetable. Cornerback Jahlil Florence, who appeared in nine games last season, is still recovering from a knee injury he suffered in November 2023. Florence has returned to training but has officially been listed as absent from every match so far this season.

“When Jahlil is ready, we will be able to use him,” the head coach said Dan Lanning during Oregon’s September bye week. “But it’s not at that stage right now.”

Defensive lineman My’Keil Gardner, who was expected to play a key role this season, is sidelined indefinitely with an undisclosed injury.

“We’re looking forward to having him back, but it’s not going to happen overnight,” Lanning said a few days before the season opener against Idaho.

The Ducks will likely be without redshirt sophomore defensive back Zach Grisham, who hasn’t played since the game against Boise State and listed as absent in each of the last four matches.

Although not injured, the wide winger Traeshon Holdenwho was ejected during the Ohio State game and did not play against Purdue, will be available this Saturday and Lanning will confirm his return to the lineup.

Dave Iuli, an offensive lineman who has been sidelined since the spring with a foot injury, has returned to practice, although it is not yet clear whether he will be ready for Illinois. Another possible absence for the Ducks is a winger Kiler Kasper, who has missed the last three games with an undisclosed injury. Lanning suggested this week that Kasper’s return this season is uncertain.

“I don’t know the schedule right now. It may be difficult to see him back this year, but I won’t put limits on him and his ability to come back,” Lanning said.

Finally, a junior defensive back Khamari Terrellwho was listed as absent for the Purdue game, is another Oregon player who should be monitored heading into Saturday.

Meanwhile, Illinois has major injuries of its own. Outside linebacker Daniel Brown, linebacker Kaden Feagin and offensive lineman Magnus Moller did not play in last week’s matchup against Purdue. Feagin, the Illini’s leading rusher in the first five games with 306 yards and three touchdowns, suffered a hyperextended leg in practice on Oct. 8.

Illinois coach Bret Bielema expects Feagin “to be out for a while,” though there’s no final word on his availability Saturday. Illinois will also be without winger Ashton Hollins, who has been ruled out for the season.

Official health reports for both teams won’t be available until Saturday morning.