Matthew Bedford, Gary Bryant Jr. Injury Updates: What did Dan Lanning say about the Oregon players?
The Oregon Ducks entered the 2024 college football season ranked No. 3 in the AP Top 25 Poll. Despite getting off to an undefeated start through three games, they have slipped to No. 9 in the latest rendition of the rankings. Oregon survived close matchups with the FCS-level Idaho Vandals and Boise State Broncos – winning by 10 and three points, respectively – before beating intrastate rivals Oregon State Beavers 49-14 in Week 3.
The Ducks have been without two players expected to be key contributors to their offense – Matthew Bedford and Gary Bryant Jr. – but have been sidelined for much of the season. They will have a bye week in Week 4 before returning to action against the UCLA Bruins.
Here's a closer look at what head coach Dan Lanning had to say about both players.
Matthew Bedford, Gary Bryant Jr. Injury Updates: What did Dan Lanning say about his Oregon players?
#1. Matthew Bedford
Bedford initially joined the Indiana Hoosiers as a three-star prospect in the 2019 recruiting class. He appeared in 41 games, making 39 starts, in five years with the program before joining the Oregon Ducks via the transfer portal ahead of the 2024 season.
Bedford was sidelined throughout training camp due to a knee injury that also caused him to miss the first two games of the season. After he made his program debut late in their Week 3 game, Lanning was asked on Wednesday about the prospect of the sixth-year senior joining the offensive line rotation, responding (via On3.com):
"Yeah, I think this week, and next week will be a great opportunity for us to see that," Lanning said.
While the Ducks rushing attack scored two touchdowns across the first two weeks of the season, they struggled to move the ball, averaging just 2.96 yards per carry. They were able to erupt for 240 rushing yards and four touchdowns on 32 carries in their Week 3 victory over the Beavers. The addition of Bedford could help the offensive line take another step.
#2. Gary Bryant Jr.
Gary Bryant Jr. initially joined the USC Trojans as a four-star prospect in the 2020 recruiting class. He hauled in 53 passes for 645 yards and seven touchdowns, adding a rushing touchdown, in three years with the program before joining the Oregon Ducks via the transfer portal ahead of the 2023 season.
After recording 442 receiving yards and four touchdowns on 30 receptions, Bryant Jr. was expected to see more touches in 2024. That has not been the case as he has yet to make his season debut:
"Yeah, continuing to assess it. When he’s back and ready, we’ll be able to use him," Lanning said.
Oregon's passing offense has been amongst the best in the league, ranking No. 19 in yards per game while leading the nation in completion percentage. Bryant Jr. will give quarterback Dillon Gabriel another target in the passing game.