Oregon receiver Tez Johnson is expected to miss some time due to a shoulder injury suffered in the 38-17 Week 10 win over Michigan. However, the injury is not expected to be season-ending. reports Pete Thamel of ESPN.
Johnson suffered the injury during the Ducks’ first possession Saturday and returned to the sideline in civilian clothes in the first half with his right arm in a sling. He had one catch for 11 yards in the game.
“I hate it for him, because I love the competitor he is,” quarterback Dillon Gabriel said of Johnson’s injury after Saturday’s game, via ESPN. “He’s a guy who loves the game and openly expresses his passion. He loves football. So it’s tough and you hate him for it.”
Oregon has three games left on its regular-season schedule, so it’s unclear if Johnson is expected to return at some point over the next four weeks or if he’ll be available during a likely College Football Playoff run.
The hope is that Johnson can return for the Big Ten championship game, scheduled for Dec. 7. according to wire ducks. That would be a four-week timeline for recovery.
“This guy is a winner, in every word: what it means to be a winner,” Oregon coach Dan Lanning said after the Michigan game.
“Tez is that for us, and we always talk about opportunities, you know, the next mountain,” he added. “He’s a selfless player who plays with crazy passion and energy, and we certainly would have loved to have him there tonight.”
Johnson is the Ducks’ leading receiver this season with 64 receptions for 649 yards and eight touchdowns. In two seasons at Oregon, he has 150 receptions for 1,831 yards and 18 touchdowns. Johnson played his first three college seasons at Troy, catching 141 passes for 1,809 yards and eight touchdowns.
