Following a conference win Saturday night against Cal, Oregon head coach Willie Taggart did not share much information about the status of starting quarterback Justin Herbert, but multiple reports out of Eugene are suggesting Herbert broke his collarbone.
Jen Beyrle of The Oregonian reports via Twitter Herbert broke his collarbone, according to sources.
Sources confirm Oregon QB Justin Herbert broke his collarbone
— Jen Beyrle (@JenBeyrle) October 1, 2017
Oregon has not confirmed that diagnosis at this time. If it is a broken collarbone, the typical recovery time tends to fall between four and eight weeks. At best, Herbert could, in theory, return to the team at the end of Utah for a home game against Utah on Oct. 28. If Herbert cannot return for another eight weeks, Herbert could potentially be back for either the last game of the regular season against Oregon State or the bowl season, supposing Oregon clinches bowl eligibility this season.
Oregon suffered a good amount of injuries in the game, but the quarterback situation is the most notable considering how well Herbert had been playing for the Ducks. Before the injury, Herbert had completed seven of eight passes for 86 yards and a touchdown and run for a seven-yard touchdown. The sophomore quarterback had been impressive in the first quarter of the season with a completion percentage of 68.3, 1,264 passing yards nine touchdown passes to two interceptions and three rushing touchdowns.
Senior Taylor Alie initially saw action backing up the injured Herbert but later in the game Oregon freshman Braxton Burmeister made his season debut, thus burning his redshirt option for the 2017 season. The four-star recruit from California has many Oregon fans excited about his future, and he may be jumping into the mix sooner than expected as a result of Herbert’s injury.