Oregon football: Mario Cristobal provides injury updates on Thibodeaux, Flowe, McCormick

Mario Cristobal, Oregon Ducks. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
Mario Cristobal, Oregon Ducks. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /
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Oregon football head coach Mario Cristobal offers health updates injured Ducks such as Kayvon Thibodeaux, Justin Flowe and Cam McCormick.

While Mario Cristobal‘s Oregon football team is sitting pretty at 2-0 and the No. 4 team in the country, the Ducks are dealing with injuries to key players such as Kayvon Thibodeaux, Justin Flowe and Cam McCormick.

Cristobal said Flowe’s foot injury is “pretty significant” and it could be of the long-term variety for the talented linebacker who was the Pac-12 Freshman of the Week for Week 1.

While he did not say Thibodeaux was going to be back from his injured ankle for the Week 3 game vs. Stony Brook, the superstar defensive end should be back when Pac-12 play begins.

As for McCormick, the tight end’s season is over after suffering his leg injury vs. Ohio State.

After hosting Stony Brook on Saturday, the Ducks will begin Pac-12 play vs. the Arizona Wildcats.

Oregon football injury updates: Mario Cristobal discusses star players’ health

What is important to understand here is Oregon got to 2-0 by going into The Horseshoe and pushing the favored Ohio State Buckeyes around. Not only does this give the Ducks a massive non-conference win, but it allows them an opportunity to slip up in Pac-12 play and still make the College Football Playoff as a one-loss, Power Five champion. Of course, they need to get healthier.

Given that Oregon’s offense is incredibly ground-centric under Cristobal’s watch, losing McCormick for the season can be offset. While they are going nowhere if Thibodeaux misses ample time with injuries in Pac-12 play, the Ducks might be better equipped than you realize if they do not have Flowe available. He is immensely talented, but he has only played in two games for Oregon ever.

Oregon may be a tad beat up, but this battle-tested bunch is already vying for a playoff berth.

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