Oregon’s Dan Lanning non-committal on injured players for Minnesota game

EUGENE — Whether any of Oregon’s several injured players will return for Friday’s game with Minnesota is unclear.

Oregon coach Dan Lanning was optimistic about the outlooks for receiver Dakorien Moore, tight end Kenyon Sadiq, right tackle Alex Harkey and inside linebacker Devon Jackson following last week’s win at Iowa and didn’t have an update on receiver Gary Bryant Jr.’s apparent foot injury at the time.

Lanning was less forthcoming when asked for an update on those players Monday night.

“If they’re ready,” Lanning said, “they’ll play.”

UO’s leading receiver, Moore suffered a non-contact knee injury during practice last week.

Sadiq has been dealing with an unspecified injury dating back to before the Indiana game. Harkey rolled his ankle last week and Jackson was dealing with a similar issue, Lanning said. Each of those three traveled to Iowa, were listed as questionable, were in full pads but did not play.

With only four scholarship receivers available following Bryant’s injury, Oregon used a greater share of players with two running backs and two tight ends. That has already been a greater part of the offense this season, especially multiple backs, but became a greater necessity when the receiving corps was further depleted.

That could be the case again against Minnesota.

“I think we’ve probably had more (two backs) personnel sets than any other team in the conference this year and that goes back to trying to utilize the personnel that we have,” Lanning said. “I feel really confident about our guys in (two back sets) and really like our guys in (one back sets) too. … We’ll continue to be creative. I’m sure we’ll see some stuff out there that’s different.”

Gernorris Wilson made his first career start in place of Harkey. He committed a false start penalty, but was part of a group that paved the way for 261 rushing yards without allowing a sack.

Lanning felt Wilson played a “complete game” and had areas to improve.

“To be able to keep our quarterback clean in the game was good,” Lanning said. “We obviously didn’t throw it as much, but I thought Gernorris did a good job.”

No. 7 Oregon (8-1, 5-1 Big Ten) vs Minnesota (6-3, 4-2)

• When: Friday, Nov. 14
• Time: 6 p.m. PT
• Where: Autzen Stadium
• TV: FOX
• Stream: DirecTV (free trial) or Fubo (promotional offers) or Sling (college football season pass is just $199). Streaming broadcasts for this game will be available on these streaming services locally in Oregon and Washington, but may not be available outside of the Pacific Northwest, depending on your location.