Centers split reps, receiver still absent: What we saw at Oregon football practice on Wednesday

EUGENE — The Oregon Ducks continue to practice with at least two centers taking first-team reps.

Iapani Laloulu and Charlie Pickard each took snaps at center and guard Wednesday morning at the Hatfield-Dowlin Complex, same as Tuesday. The rest of the starting offensive line rotation was also unchanged from a day earlier, with Marcus Harper II at right guard, Matthew Bedford participating in the drill again and Nishad Strother at left guard, and some shuffling of personnel with the second and third groups.

Receiver Gary Bryant Jr. (leg) was absent for a second straight day while Evan Stewart, who did not participate during early periods of Tuesday’s practice, worked with the punt returners and showed no apparent issue on Wednesday.

The opening period of special teams included a drill for most of the skill players who aren’t on the return units and running back Noah Whittington was with that group instead of the kickoff returners.

No. 9 Oregon (2-0) at Oregon State (2-0)

• When: Saturday, Sept. 14
• Time: 12:30 p.m. PT
• Where: Reser Stadium, Corvallis
• TV channel: Fox (KPTV 12 in Portland)
• Stream: Fubo (free trial) or DirecTV Stream (free trial). If you already have a provider, you can also watch this game live on FOX Sports Live with your cable or satellite provider login information.

The offensive and defensive line pods during the second period were:

• Right guard, tackle vs. defensive tackle, end: Marcus Harper II, Ajani Cornelius vs. Jamaree Caldwell, Jordan Burch | Matthew Bedford, Kawika Rogers vs. Derrick Harmon, Aydin Breland | JacQawn McRoy, Fox Crader vs. Breland, Caldwell | Austin Mims, Crader vs. Breland, Burch
• left guard, center, right guard vs. defensive tackle, nose: Charlie Pickard, Iapani Laloulu, Gernorris Wilson vs. Terrance Green, Jericho Johnson | Laloulu, Pickard, Wilson vs. Green, Johnson | Holden Whipple, Kanen Rossi, Ty Delgado vs. Green | Whipple, Rossi, Delgado vs. Johnson
• left tackle, guard vs. end, tackle: Josh Conerly Jr., Nishad Strother vs. Xadavien Sims, A’Mauri Washington | George Silva, Lipe Moala vs. A’Mauri Washington, Tionne Gray | Bailey Jaramillo, Trent Ferguson vs. Sims, Gray | Beau Cressallen, Devin Brooks vs. Sims, Gray

Other observations:

• Kickoff returners were Jordan James, Jayden Limar, Jay Harris, Nikko Reed, Rodrick Pleasant and Da’Jaun Riggs
• Punt returners: Tez Johnson, Ryan Pellum, Dillon Gresham and Evan Stewart
• Limited: offensive lineman Dave Iuli (toe) was in cleats, cornerbacks Jahlil Florence (right knee) and Timon Davis (unspecified)
• Absent/out: receiver Gary Bryant Jr. (leg), outside linebacker Ashton Porter (unspecified), defensive lineman My’Keil Gardner (right foot), cornerback Dakoda Fields (knee)

– James Crepea covers the Oregon Ducks and Big Ten. Listen to the Ducks Confidential podcast or subscribe to the Ducks Roundup newsletter.