Justin Herbert should only play in Oregon’s bowl game if he’s coming back
Justin Herbert isn’t dealing with a major injury to his throwing shoulder, but the Oregon signal caller’s draft decision should determine if he plays in a bowl game.
The Oregon Ducks got their eighth win of the season last Friday, as they easily beat Oregon State 55-14 in the annual “Civil War” game. But that was overshadowed by quarterback Justin Herbert, who suffered a right shoulder injury late in the second quarter and did not return.
The game being as one-sided as it was was surely a factor in Herbert not coming back in. Somewhat to that end, The Oregonian has reported he’s dealing with a bruised shoulder and the injury isn’t considered serious.
With a few weeks to recover before the Ducks play in their yet-to-be-scheduled bowl game, Herbert’s status doesn’t seem to be in real doubt. But the bigger question of if he should play will linger.
Herbert is regarded as one of the top draft-eligible quarterback prospects for the 2019 NFL Draft. But he’d have to declare a year early, and there have been indications Herbert is leaning toward returning to Oregon for his senior season. So doing what other top draft prospects have done in recent years, and skipping an essentially meaningless bowl game, would be a moot point if Herbert isn’t going to leave early.
When asked after Friday’s game if Herbert would play in Oregon’s bowl game, if healthy, head coach Mario Cristobal said “I don’t see why not.” That could just be the sentiment of an optimistic coach who wants his best chance to end the season on a high note, or a coach who’s talked with Herbert and has confidence he’s coming back next year.
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Regardless of his health, Herbert’s decision to play in Oregon’s bowl game comes down to his looming draft decision. If he’s coming back for his senior year, there’s a better case to play as long as his shoulder is not seriously injured. If he’s leaving, then Herbert should consider sitting out and the deal should be sealed if there’s any doubt about the health of his throwing shoulder.