Oregon Quarterback Dante Moore Out for Rest of Season After Concussion

Oregon starting quarterback Dante Moore is out for the remainder of the 2026 season. Head coach Dan Lanning confirmed the news at his Monday night press conference, saying medical staff have deemed Moore's season over and that Moore will not be medically cleared to play in a game.

Moore has not played since suffering a concussion in the game against the USC Trojans on September 26, in Week 4. He exited that game after a hit by Trojans linebacker Desman Stephens while Moore was trying to slide on a scramble. He was carted off the field and taken by ambulance to hospital, and Stephens was charged with targeting on the play.

What Lanning said

"I'm not anticipating him being back this season," Lanning said, in remarks reported by 247Sports and Sports Illustrated.

Lanning said Moore is expected to make a full recovery from the concussion. He explained that Moore can take part in practice, because practice is a controlled setting for the Ducks, but a game cannot be controlled in the same way, so Moore will not be cleared for games this season.

"If it was up to Dante in any way, he would want to be out there playing for the guys," Lanning said. "But unfortunately, it's not really up to Dante. It's not really up to me."

The season he was having

Moore entered the season as a Heisman Trophy contender. In about three and a half games in 2026 before the injury, he threw for 926 yards with nine touchdowns and no interceptions, figures reported by both 247Sports and On3.

He had been viewed as a first round NFL draft pick following the 2025 season but chose to return to Oregon for a final season. In 2025 he threw 30 touchdowns and 10 interceptions, completed nearly 72 percent of his passes, and led the Ducks to a 13-2 record.

Oregon is 4-3 this season. With Moore sidelined, the Ducks have leaned on a combination of Dylan Raiola and Brock Thomas, and the freshman Akili Smith Jr. is also in the quarterback room. In Moore's absence Oregon is 1-2 and has turned the ball over 10 times in its last three games. The Ducks still face Northwestern, Ohio State, Michigan State and Washington, among others, to close the season.

Lanning fired offensive coordinator Drew Mehringer on Sunday, October 25, over recent offensive struggles. Oregon currently ranks No. 88 in FBS in rushing and No. 40 in scoring.

No decision announced on what comes next

Moore is a projected first round draft pick for the upcoming NFL Draft if he chooses to declare. Lanning said Moore has not indicated one way or the other, and that he has not had conversations with Moore yet about potentially coming back to Oregon next season. Moore can return to Oregon next season, and Lanning would not comment on that potential decision. No draft or return decision has been announced, and this report does not treat either path as settled.