A few weeks ago, Oregon football fans were dealt a tough blow during fall camp when Indiana transfer Matthew Bedford suffered what appeared to be a severe knee injury.
Bedford, a seasoned transfer from the Hoosiers, was anticipated to be the starting right guard for the Ducks. His injury left the team scrambling to find a replacement for a key player who had started 11 games last season.
However, there was a silver lining on Wednesday when reporters noticed Bedford at practice. While injured players can attend practice, it’s uncommon for them to participate in drills, but Bedford was seen doing just that, albeit with a large brace on his right knee. This suggests he’s working through his injury, though his availability for Week 1 remains uncertain, according to head coach Dan Lanning.
Lanning’s comments during his post-practice media session were somewhat ambiguous when asked if Bedford’s condition had improved more than expected. After a reporter pointed out Bedford was actively participating in practice, Lanning offered a more hopeful response.
With the Idaho game approaching, it seems unlikely that Lanning and the team will risk playing Bedford immediately, but the fact that he might be an option is promising. Many had feared he would be sidelined for an extended period, but Wednesday’s update suggests he might only miss a game or two. Let’s hope it’s just a precautionary absence for Week 1.
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