Oregon Ducks Quarterback Dante Moore Out for Season with Concussion

Oregon Ducks quarterback Dante Moore will not return to the field for the remainder of the season due to a concussion, head coach Dan Lanning announced Monday. The sophomore quarterback sustained the injury on September 28th during a game against USC after a hit from linebacker Desman Stephens II. While Moore has been participating in practice, Lanning stated that medical staff have not cleared him for live game action.

"This is a serious deal that he'll 100% be able to make a full recovery from," Lanning said. "But for him to be out there on the field for us right now, that's not going to happen."

Moore, who was projected to be a first-round pick in the upcoming NFL Draft, had thrown for 925 yards and nine touchdowns with zero interceptions before his injury. Lanning emphasized that Moore's decision to sit out is not a reflection of the team's current record or his personal satisfaction with the season.

"This isn’t like a selfish decision on Dante's part saying 'I don't wanna come back, the season doesn’t look like they way I want it to look'," Lanning explained. "That's not at all what this is."

Moore is currently serving as the scout team quarterback, providing the Ducks' defense with a high-level look during practices.

The absence of Moore has coincided with a challenging period for the Oregon Ducks, who have lost three consecutive games. Following a loss to UCLA, where the team committed seven turnovers, Oregon fell to Illinois 21-10. This offensive struggle led Lanning to fire offensive coordinator Drew Mehringer on Sunday.

With Moore out for the season, his focus is expected to shift entirely to his recovery and preparation for the 2027 NFL Draft. The Ducks, currently 4-3, face Northwestern this weekend, with questions surrounding the team's offensive direction and future roster, including the potential arrival of Dylan Raiola.