Jordon Davison Injury Clarified by Oregon Running Backs Coach Ra’Shaad Samples

Oregon Ducks running backs coach Ra'Shaad Samples took the opportunity to address the conflicting injury reports surrounding Jordon Davison.

Oregon Ducks jordon davison | oregon ducks on si darby winter

EUGENE - The University of Oregon campus is quiet as it awaits the return of students. The Oregon football program, meanwhile, is in its second week of fall practice... and is anything but quiet.

News emerged Wednesday that sophomore running back Jordon Davison had suffered an injury that could sideline him for six to eight weeks, as first reported by Zach Neel of Ducks Wire. The situation soon became less clear. Neel and others later reported that initial testing indicated Davison might avoid an extended absence, while On3 offered a conflicting report that he was expected to practice Wednesday.

So, what is happening with Davison?

Oregon Ducks jordon davison | oregon ducks on si darby winter

Oregon RB Coach Ra'Shaad Samples On Jordon Davison Injury

Oregon running backs coach Ra’Shaad Samples was already scheduled to speak with the media Wednesday, giving him an opportunity to address the conflicting reports surrounding Davison.

"I'm not sure what information was talked about or said, but I mean, I know that kid just practiced his butt off. You know, he had a really good day in practice today," Samples said.

"He finished runs. He's continuing to get his body in shape. He's a really hard worker. He works in and on and off the field and he's continuing to become a leader every single day," Samples continued.

Sounds like Davison practiced on Wednesday, to the relief of a stressed Ducks fan base.

A six-to-eight week injury timeline would hold him out for the rest of the preseason and into Big Ten play, with a potential return coming against the USC Trojans on the road or the UCLA Bruins at home.

Oregon ducks running back Jordon Davison and reporter Bri Amaranthus | Seigher Brown

Jordon Davison's Toughness Amid Previous Injuries

Davison has already showed outstanding toughness. He broke his broken collarbone in Oregon’s College Football Playoff victory over Texas Tech at the Orange Bowl early in the game but still carried the ball 15 times and scored two touchdowns. That injury prematurely ended his outstanding freshman season.

Davison's sophomore season has high expectations. Former Oregon running back LaMichael James did not hold back in how elite he thinks Davison is, in an exclusive interview with Oregon Ducks on SI reporter Bri Amaranthus.

“I’m a huge fan of Jordon. For how big he is, he has really good feet, and he always finishes his runs. He runs behind his pads really well. His style is very punishing, but he also has some wiggle. He really has no weaknesses," James told Amaranthus.

"I’m probably his biggest fan," James said of Davison.

Sep 27, 2025; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Oregon Ducks running back Jordon Davison (0) reacts after defeating the Penn State Nittany Lions at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O'Haren-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

When Amaranthus told Davison about James' compliment, Davison’s smile revealed how much those words meant to him.

"I appreciate that. I didn't know he thought of me like that, but that's an Oregon legend. I'm very grateful to be thought of like that. And that just gives me more things to push at and keep going for the younger generation," Davison told Amaranthus.

The 2025 injury ended a breakout freshman season at an unfortunate time, but it did not stop Davison from becoming a productive offensive weapon and fan favorite. The Mater Dei High School product scored a team-high 15 rushing touchdowns in 2025, tying the second-highest total by a freshman in program history.

Oregon's Depth At Running Back

If Davison does miss time in 2026, the Ducks’ running back room does have strong depth. Leading the running back room with Davison out would likely be fellow sophomore Dierre Hill Jr.

Jan 1, 2026; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Oregon Ducks running back Jordon Davison (0) reacts after scoring a touchdown against the Texas Tech Red Raiders during the second half of the 2025 Orange Bowl and quarterfinal game of the College Football Playoff at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Hill Jr. also had a standout freshman season, rushing for five touchdowns and 656 yards on 75 carries and receiving another touchdown with 137 receiving yards on 16 catches. Hill Jr. is the "lightening" to the "thunder" of Davison.

The rest of the Ducks running backs room is also full of playmakers. Da’Juan ‘Dink’ Riggs is another returner at the position who’s received praise during fall camp from offensive coordinator Drew Mehringer. Riggs has dealt with injuries in his first couple of seasons in Eugene, but according to Mehringer, he’s hit his stride in fall camp now that he's healthy.

Other options in the backfield if Davison is sidelined would be Colorado transfer Simeon Price and true freshmen Tradarian Ball and Brandon Smith.

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