Oregon Ducks Uncertain About Wide Receiver's Football Future

Head coach Dan Lanning shares injury update on Dillon Gresham, who missed last season with a neck injury.

Mar. 12, 2026 at 8:48pm

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The Oregon Ducks are beginning spring practice, but the return from injury for wide receiver Dillon Gresham remains uncertain. Head coach Dan Lanning shared that Gresham's neck injury from last season has put his football future in jeopardy, saying "it's still a little uncertain on his future." Gresham was a standout player during Oregon's spring game in 2025 but now faces an uncertain path forward.

Why it matters

Gresham's injury situation serves as a reminder that the game of football can be taken away quickly, and that players should never take their opportunities for granted. The uncertainty around Gresham's future also raises questions about the Ducks' receiving corps heading into the 2026 season.

The details

In 2025, Gresham finished the spring game with three catches for 96 yards and a 56-yard touchdown. Head coach Dan Lanning had praised Gresham's performance, saying he "made some contested catches" and "great plays on the ball." However, Gresham's neck injury has now put his football future in jeopardy, with Lanning stating "it can be taken away from you in a second."

  • Oregon Ducks began spring practice in March 2026.
  • Gresham missed the entire 2025 season due to his neck injury.

The players

Dan Lanning

The head coach of the Oregon Ducks football team.

Dillon Gresham

A wide receiver for the Oregon Ducks who missed the 2025 season due to a neck injury.

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What they’re saying

“It's tough. Right now, it's still a little uncertain on his future, but he's attacked it with the right mindset.”

— Dan Lanning, Head Coach, Oregon Ducks

“I think football at some point ends for everybody and sometimes you hope it doesn't end for a guy like Dillon as soon as it did last season.”

— Dan Lanning, Head Coach, Oregon Ducks

“We'll see what it continues to look like moving forward, but that's the everyday battle, and that's a wakeup call for anybody out there playing ball. It can be taken away from you in a second.”

— Dan Lanning, Head Coach, Oregon Ducks

What’s next

The Ducks will continue to monitor Gresham's recovery and provide updates on his status as spring practice progresses.

The takeaway

Gresham's injury serves as a sobering reminder that football careers can end unexpectedly, and that players must cherish every opportunity they have on the field. The uncertainty surrounding Gresham's future also highlights the importance of depth and resilience within a team's receiving corps.