Oregon QB Dante Moore out for season after concussion
Dan Lanning confirmed the quarterback will not return in 2026, leaving Dylan Raiola and Brock Thomas to lead the Ducks' struggling offence.
Oregon quarterback Dante Moore will miss the remainder of the 2026 season, coach Dan Lanning confirmed on Monday. The announcement ends weeks of uncertainty after Moore suffered a concussion in a game against USC on 26 September. Lanning said he does not expect Moore to play again this year, and On3 reported that Moore is out for the season because of injury.
Moore's absence deals a severe blow to an Oregon offence already struggling. The Ducks have used a combination of Dylan Raiola and Brock Thomas at quarterback, but have gone 1-2 in Moore's absence and turned the ball over 10 times in their last three games. The team ranks 88th in FBS rushing and 40th in scoring, and offensive coordinator Drew Mehringer was fired on Sunday. Lanning has not yet named an offensive playcaller for the rest of the season.
Moore left the USC game after a late hit by Trojans linebacker Desman Stephens as he tried to slide. He was carted off and taken to hospital by ambulance. Initial fears of a more serious injury were allayed when he was diagnosed with just a concussion, leaving the door open for a return. Lanning consistently said Oregon would not rush Moore back, and the quarterback missed three games before the season-ending announcement. Lanning had said earlier in October that Moore was back at practice, and sources told On3 that his practice availability had increased in recent weeks, moving from the scout team to the second team.
In four games this season, Moore threw for 926 yards, nine touchdowns and no interceptions. He was regarded as a first-round NFL draft pick after the 2025 season but opted to return to Oregon for a final season. He entered 2026 as a Heisman Trophy contender and had hoped to win a national championship. Moore threw for 3,565 yards and 30 touchdowns with 10 interceptions in 2025.
The injury also affects Moore's professional outlook. Arizona Sports reported that ESPN's Pete Thamel said Moore is not expected to play the rest of the season. That outlet noted Moore was among the quarterbacks the Arizona Cardinals scouted during the season, and he was projected as the top quarterback in the 2027 draft class before the season began. However, that projection is scouting context rather than a confirmed draft position. The senior returned to Eugene rather than declaring for the 2026 NFL Draft after his junior year, when he was also expected to be one of the top picks.
Oregon is 4-3 with five games remaining and faces long odds to reach the College Football Playoff. With Moore out, Raiola and Thomas will continue to split duties. Raiola started and played the entire Illinois game on Saturday, completing 27 of 41 passes for 246 yards, but Oregon scored only 10 points. The Ducks will need to find offensive answers quickly to salvage their season.
Read in depth: Sports
Manchester United consider Howe and Nagelsmann as Carrick's future hangs in balance
BBC Sport says Eddie Howe and Julian Nagelsmann are prominent potential replacements while Manchester United weigh whether to dismiss Michael Carrick after eight games without...
Harry Kane wins the 2026 Ballon d’Or after record 73-goal season
The Bayern Munich striker becomes the first English winner since Michael Owen in 2001, beating Kylian Mbappé and Lamine Yamal.
Sources and context
- Oregon QB Dante Moore out for season in latest hit for DucksYahoo Sports
- Oregon QB Dante Moore out for remainder of 2026 seasonOn3
- Oregon's Dante Moore done for the season - Arizona SportsArizona Sports
AI-assisted article checked against the listed sources. NewsJaws did not conduct interviews or attend the reported events.