It’s a midweek, post-practice kind of vibe in Eugene. The season’s barely begun, but injuries and reps are already at the forefront. Dan Lanning , head coach of the Oregon Ducks, gathered the media after practice and didn’t shy away from questions about his linebacker depth. The first official availability report dropped, and it felt like half the roster was on the radar. Devon Jackson was still wrestling with an injury from the start of fall camp. And don’t forget Evan Stewart. The dynamic wideout tore his patellar tendon in the spring and might miss the whole year. That’s arguably the biggest gut punch of them all.

But football’s never just about the guys missing, it’s about who’s still fighting to suit up. That’s when the spotlight turns sharply towards two such linebackers. Dylan W

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