No. 1 Oregon ducks took a 7-0 lead over Michigan Wolverines on the Ducks’ first offensive play. However, during the drive, the wide receiver stars in Oregon Tez Johnson he went down injured and is ruled out for the game.

Johnson spent about two minutes in the injury tent before going to the locker room with Oregon’s training staff, according to CBS reporter Jenny Dell. Johnson appeared to be holding his shoulder as he exited the casualty tent. Johnson took an X-ray and Oregon coach Dan Lanning had no comment for the CBS broadcast.

After the game, Lanning addressed Johnson’s injury in his press conference.

“I’m still figuring it out,” Lanning said. “I have no details at this time. He was not available to return to the game.”

Johnson was out for the rest of the game, dressed in street clothes and wearing a sling on the sideline. The CBS broadcast speculated that it looked like a collarbone injury or a separated shoulder.

At halftime, Dell asked the Oregon coach Dan Lanning about how the team will replace Johnson.

“Next man,” Lanning said. “I thought they did really well, barring one drive where they had tough field position. Running the ball, I’m really proud of how they’ve performed so far.”

Oregon offensive lineman Marcus Harper II also left the game with an injury and was unable to return. Harper II managed to get out of the field of his own power.

“He told me in the locker room he was going to be fine,” Lanning said after the game. “Obviously, we want to make sure we evaluate it and take a look at it, but I don’t know that we have an update right now.”

Earlier this season, Johnson spoke with the Oregon Ducks to the SI reporter Bri Amaranthus about what makes this Oregon offense special.

“I trust everybody on offense — coaches, quarterbacks, offensive linemen,” Johnson told Amaranthus. “I give all my receptions to the O-linemen because they literally have to block a front for me to get the ball. And I think the team trusts me and I trust everybody. It just works together. Everything you do for the team, it benefits you in a way that is being selfless.”

On Michigan’s next drive, wide receiver Ryan Pellum replaced Johnson as the punt returner. Pellum caught the ball cleanly, but Michigan forced a fumble. As a result, the Wolverines offense went back down the field in overtime.

Michigan took advantage of the turnover, scoring a touchdown on a pass from quarterback Davis Warren to receiver Tyler Morris.

On Michigan’s next punt, wide receiver Evan Stewart replaced Pellum and called for a fair catch.

Ducks fans are hoping the wide receiver’s injury is nothing serious, as he has been one of quarterback Dillon Gabriel’s favorite targets, totaling 64 receptions this season. Before leaving the game with an injury, Johnson had one reception for 11 yards.

Johnson was on pace to break his own Oregon record of 86 receptions in 2023 with quarterback and brother Bo Nix under center.

Scouts of nearly half the NFL are in attendance for the game. Michigan’s defensive line includes future NFL draft picks Kenneth Grant and Mason Graham. Oregon’s roster also has some NFL talent, including defensive lineman Jordan Burch and tight end Terrance Ferguson, who are back from injury.

The Ducks outshot the Wolverines 38-17 to stay undefeated. It is the first time Oregon has started 9-0 in a season since 2012 and the third time in program history (2010).