Fans of the Oregon Ducks have officially witnessed the conclusion of quarterback Dante Moore’s time on the field in Eugene.
On Monday evening, head coach Dan Lanning declared that Moore, who has been sidelined since incurring a concussion in Week 4 during the game against the USC Trojans, will not be returning to play this season for the Ducks and will instead shift his focus towards preparing for the upcoming 2027 NFL Draft.
“I believe that if it were solely up to Dante, he would wish to be out there competing alongside his teammates,” Lanning remarked. “Regrettably, the decision is not entirely in his hands, nor is it in mine. We can manage the environment during practice where he is capable of participating, but that does not hold true in a game setting. We previously mentioned that this is a serious matter and that he will absolutely make a complete recovery; that remains unchanged. However, having him on the field with us right now is simply not feasible.”
Moore, who was regarded as a potential top-five pick had he declared for last year’s draft, opted to return to Oregon for an additional year with the intent to strive for a national championship and enhance his skills as a passer. Nonetheless, following his unfortunate injury and the Ducks’ subsequent decline without him in the lineup, the likelihood of securing a spot in the College Football Playoff appears extremely low, and the risk of further injury far outweighs any potential benefits of playing this season.
His 2026 season, and possibly his tenure at Oregon, concludes with a total of 4,540 passing yards, 39 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions, achieving a completion rate of over 71%. As the starting quarterback for the Ducks, Moore’s record was 16-3, leading the team to a place in the College Football Playoff semifinal last year.
Looking ahead, it will be fascinating to observe where Moore ranks in draft projections. Some analysts, including Todd McShay, had still positioned Moore as a top 5 pick earlier in the year, although this could change now that he has opted not to continue playing for the remainder of the season.
As for the Ducks, they will likely proceed with Dylan Raiola taking charge, or may potentially explore options with Akili Smith or Brock Thomas moving forward. Holding a 4-3 record and facing formidable opponents like the Northwestern Wildcats, Ohio State Buckeyes, Michigan Wolverines, and Washington Huskies in the remaining weeks of the season, they face a significant challenge in securing two more victories to achieve bowl eligibility.
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This article originally appeared on Ducks Wire: BREAKING: Oregon QB Dante Moore will not return to the field in 2026.
