EUGENE- No. 1 Oregon ducks and no. 20 Illinois Fight the Illini face off on Saturday, October 26 at the Autzen Stadium. While both teams have had success this season, ranking in the top 20, these programs also face uncertainty surrounding key players. On Big Ten Conference rules, the official player availability reports were released two hours before kick-off. Here’s a projected look at potential injuries on both sides:

OUT

1 Jordan Burch
2 Gary Bryant Jr.
3 TerranceFerguson
6 Jahlil Florence
14 Khamari Terrell
17 Kyler Kasper
77 Matthew Bedford
93 My’Keil Gardner

SUBSTIVABLE

74 DaveIuli

OUT

3 Kaden Feagin (season)
4 Daniel Brown
56 Magnus Moller

Doubtful

None

Oregon offensive guard Matthew Bedford he’s only played a handful of snaps this season, and his first action will come briefly in Week 3 against Oregon State. Bedford (left knee) was expected to be a starter this season. Wide receiver Gary Bryant Jr., a 12-game starter last season, has yet to make his season debut after an extended absence from practice with an undisclosed injury. He returned to practice before the Purdue game, but will not return to game action against Illinois.

Defensive end Jordan Burcha key player on Oregon’s defense, injured his knee in practice before the Ohio State game and missed the last two games. His return would significantly add to the Ducks’ defensive depth, but he will be sidelined for at least another week.

The Ducks are also waiting for the tight end to return Terrance Fergusonwho underwent an appendectomy and was unavailable against Purdue. Ferguson, a key figure in Oregon’s offensive scheme, provides valuable versatility that won’t be available to the Ducks.

Some Ducks have a longer road to recovery, including freshman defensive back Dakoda Fields, who has been sidelined with a knee injury since late August with no timetable set for his return. Cornerback Jahlil Florence, a nine-game starter last season, is still recovering from a knee injury suffered in November 2023. While Florence has returned to practice, he has officially been listed as out for every game so far this season.

“Once Jahlil is ready, we will be able to use him,” the head coach said Dan Lanning during Oregon’s bye week in September. “But now, he hasn’t reached that point yet.”

Defensive lineman My’Keil Gardner, who was expected to play a key role this season, is out indefinitely with an undisclosed injury.

“We’re anxious to get him back, but it’s not going to be something that happens overnight,” Lanning said in the days leading up to the season opener against Idaho.

The Ducks will likely be without redshirt sophomore defensive back Zach Grisham, who has not played since the Boise State game and was listed as out in each of the last four games.

Although not injured, wide receiver Traeshon Holdenwho was ejected during the Ohio State game and did not play against Purdue, will be available this Saturday with Lanning confirming his return to the lineup.

Dave Iuli, an offensive lineman who has been sidelined since the spring with a foot injury, has returned to practice, although it is not yet clear if he will be ready for Illinois. Another possible absence for the Ducks is wide receiver Kyler Kasper, who has missed the last three games with an undisclosed injury. Lanning suggested this week that Kasper’s return this season is uncertain.

“I don’t know the timeline now. “It might be hard to see him back this year, but I’m not going to put any limitations on his ability to come back,” Lanning said.

Finally, junior defensive Khamari Terrellwho was listed as out for the Purdue game, is another Oregon player to monitor before Saturday.

Illinois, meanwhile, has significant injuries. Outside linebacker Daniel Brown, running back Kaden Feagin and offensive lineman Magnus Moller were all in last week’s matchup with Purdue. Feagin, the Illini’s leading rusher through the first five games with 306 yards and three touchdowns, suffered a hyperextended leg in practice on Oct. 8.

Illinois coach Bret Bielema expects Feagin “to be out a little bit,” though there’s no final word yet on his availability for Saturday. Illinois will also be without wide receiver Ashton Hollins, who has been ruled out for the season.

Official injury reports from both teams will not be available until Saturday morning.