foxnews
The Oregon Ducks are preparing to host the UCLA Bruins in a crucial Big Ten conference game this Saturday in Eugene, but they may have to do so without their star quarterback, Dante Moore.
Head coach Dan Lanning confirmed that Moore, a projected first-round NFL draft pick, was back on the practice field this week. However, the signal-caller is not expected to suit up for Week 6.
"Dante was out there at practice for us today," Lanning said during his weekly press conference, per CBS Sports. "Similar to what we said before, we're gonna do what's best for Dante moving forward. It was great to see him back out there with his teammates getting to work today."
Oregon's cautious handling of Moore's situation stems from a frightening incident in Week 4 against USC, when the quarterback took a brutal hit near his head. USC defender Desman Stephens II delivered a forceful blow as Moore slid, resulting in the quarterback being carted off the field on a stretcher.
All players must clear all five stages of the concussion protocol before returning to full-contact practice and game action. It remains unclear which stage Moore has completed.
Key Analysis
The Ducks' cautious approach reflects the seriousness of head injuries and the importance of player safety. With Moore's availability in doubt, Oregon may need to rely on its depth to navigate a critical conference matchup.
Originally reported by foxnews.