sportingnews
Oregon Ducks quarterback Dante Moore is not expected to return this season after missing the past three games with a concussion, head coach Dan Lanning announced during a Monday press conference. Moore, who was widely projected as a top pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, opted to return to Oregon for his senior year, a decision that now carries significant financial risk.
Lanning emphasized that Moore's absence is not a matter of choice. "If it was up to Dante in any shape, way, he would be out there playing for the guys," Lanning said, noting that Moore has not yet been medically cleared. "This isn't a selfish decision on Dante's part, saying, 'I don't want to come back, the season doesn't look the way I want it to look.' That's not at all what this is."
The injury occurred on Sept. 26 during Oregon's game against USC when Moore scrambled up the field and attempted to slide, but was hit late by linebacker Desman Stephens II. He was taken to the hospital, where he was diagnosed with a concussion; his scans were clean.
Before the injury, Moore had completed 69.7% of his passes for 926 yards, nine touchdowns, and zero interceptions in four games. He had earned preseason Heisman Trophy consideration and was expected to be one of the nation's top quarterbacks.
Now, Moore's draft stock has taken a hit. According to ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr., Moore is ranked No. 25 on the Big Board for the 2027 NFL Draft. Had he declared for the 2026 draft and been the No. 1 pick over Indiana's Fernando Mendoza, Moore would have received a four-year contract worth about $54.4 million. If he is selected where Kiper currently projects him in 2027, he would earn $18.7 million—a difference of $35.7 million.
Key Analysis
Moore's decision to return to Oregon was initially seen as a bold move to boost his draft stock and compete for a national championship. The Ducks were ranked No. 2 in the AP preseason poll and had high aspirations. However, without Moore, the team has struggled, turning to backup Dylan Raiola and third-stringer Brock Thomas, neither of whom has been impressive. Oregon now must figure out how to recover in the second half of the season.
Lanning remains optimistic about Moore's recovery. "We said before that this is a serious deal that he'll 100% be able to fully recover from. That hasn't changed," Lanning said. "But for him to be out there on the field for us, that's not going to happen. We'd love to have Dante out there, he's still going to be a big part of this team."
As Moore focuses on his health, the financial implications of his injury serve as a stark reminder of the risks involved in delaying entry into the professional ranks.
Originally reported by sportingnews.