Iverson Hooks should be back this week, Dan Lanning said Monday, giving Oregon a cleaner injury picture as it heads into its first road game of the season at Oklahoma State. Hooks tweaked his hamstring in the middle of last week, but Lanning said he thinks the defender will be ready to go after missing practice full-speed.
The update matters because Oregon opened with a 34-27 win over Boise State and did not appear to come out of that game with any major new injuries. That made the trip to Oklahoma State look like a chance to move forward with a healthier roster, and Hooks now appears to be part of that plan.
Lanning’s broader injury report was less tidy. Jalen Lott, who underwent minor corrective surgery earlier this fall, is expected to miss the next few weeks before a mid-season return. Platt remains limited for a while after the injury he felt in the spring, and Tony Cumberland, who was involved in a car accident earlier this year, is not expected to be seen soon. Dillon Gresham will remain with the team, but Lanning said it is not clear from a medical standpoint whether he can help the Ducks.
There is still one unresolved piece before kickoff: Simeon Price was in street clothes against Boise State, and Lanning did not give a clean answer on whether he will be available Saturday. Douglas Utu started at left tackle in the opener but left midway through and was replaced by Trent Fergus, another sign that Oregon is healthier than it was during camp, but not fully settled. The Ducks may be moving into the Oklahoma State game with one less concern than they had a day ago, yet the availability picture is still not complete.
