Oregon Ducks have several options after Matthew Bedford's injury

The mark of a great team in college football is the presence of depth and the ability to overcome injuries when they occur. For Dan Lanning and the Oregon Ducks, that depth will be put to the test as the 2024 season begins.

On Saturday, Lanning confirmed after the Ducks' second practice game that senior guard Matthew Bedford suffered a knee injury that will keep him out of action for at least the next few weeks. A person familiar with the situation told me that the hope is that Bedford, who is slated to start at right guard, will be ready to play by the time conference play begins in late September.

“We're not going to be selfish or try to push him back to get him here tomorrow,” Lanning said Saturday. “I don't think that's realistic. Will he be able to play for us this year? Yes, absolutely. I think he will.”

Now it's time to test that depth.

Fortunately, the Ducks have plenty of options to fall back on. Topping that list is Nishad Strother, a transfer from East Carolina last spring who competed with Steven Jones for the RG spot but sat out fall practice with a minor injury.

Strother started 30 games for the Pirates before trading and played over 2,000 snaps at various positions along the line in his career. He competed with Bedford for the starting RG spot during the offseason and will now likely emerge as the leading candidate for the starting lineup.

“That's part of the competitive depth we're talking about,” Lanning said. “I think Nishad has worked his ass off to get himself in a position where he can help us and some of the other guys on that interior line. So that gives us an opportunity to figure out what our best lineup is.”

While Strother may be the most likely candidate to succeed RG, there is also the possibility that Lanning and OL coach A'lique Terry will take turns in the trenches and decide to shake things up.

One thing this coaching staff has emphasized over the years is cross-training their athletes to make them ready to play multiple positions. That means that if needed, someone like Iapani Laloulu – who played snaps at the LG position in 2023 – could move from the center position to the RG positions, or Marcus Harper – who has spent some time at the C position in the past – could move from the LG position to the C positions.

“I think my job is to imagine every scenario that anyone can be in,” Lanning said. “So, yes, absolutely, we imagine a variety of scenarios and what they look like.”

So what will the final combination look like? Time will tell, but the Ducks are certainly capable of dealing with the injury to one of their best players early in the season.