Oregon Ducks running back Noah Whittington is likely to play in the College Football Playoff semifinal against Indiana, but he may not start. His participation depends on how he feels in warm-ups. Whittington appeared on the injury report unexpectedly, listed as questionable due to an undisclosed issue.
Oregon faces challenges at the running back position. Jordon Davison, the team’s second-leading rusher, is sidelined with an upper body injury, putting additional pressure on an already thin roster. To adjust, Oregon has moved two defensive players—safety Kilohana Haasenritter and linebacker Brayden Platt—to tailback. Haasenritter had started as a tailback before switching to defense earlier this season.
If Whittington is unable to play, the Ducks will rely on freshman Dierre Hill Jr., who has accumulated 570 yards on 70 carries this season. However, depth is a concern as the team is also without Jayden Limar, who is in the transfer portal, leaving Jay Harris and quarterback Dante Moore as options. While Harris is also in the portal, he has chosen to stay with the team, with 116 yards on 26 carries to his name.
This kind of depth issue isn’t new in college football. In recent years, other teams have faced similar challenges, often leading to surprising performances by less experienced players. A survey from the NCAA shows that injuries and transfers are increasingly common in college sports, impacting team dynamics.
As the game approaches, fans and pundits alike are eager to see how these changes will affect Oregon’s performance. With Whittington’s status still uncertain, all eyes will be on his warm-up routine.
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