The Oregon Ducks are looking to avenge their regular-season loss to the Hoosiers in Friday night’s Peach Bowl College Football Playoff semifinal. One of the challenges they will have to overcome is entering the game thin at running back.
Starting running back Noah Whittington is officially listed as questionable. His backup, Jordan Davison — Oregon’s second-leading rusher — is officially out against Indiana with an injury.
As a result, Oregon reportedly plans to turn to some defensive players to add depth to the backfield.
Here’s a look at the Ducks’ running back depth concerns and who could be carrying the load against Indiana.
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Oregon RB depth chart
Here's a look at Oregon's current running back depth chart, including the status of some of them.
| RB | Player | Status |
| No. 1 | Noah Whittington | Questionable |
| No. 2 | Jordon Davison | OUT |
| No. 3 | Dierre Hill Jr. | Available |
| No. 4 | Jay Harris | Available |
| No. 5 | Jayden Limar | (Transfer portal) |
| No. 6 | Makhi Hughes | (Transfer portal) |
What happened to Jordon Davison?
Earlier this week, Aaron J. Fentress of The Oregonian reported that Davison suffered a broken clavicle in the Orange Bowl against Texas Tech. Although he scored a touchdown against the Red Raiders and remained in the game after sustaining his injury, it is unlikely he will be good to go against Indiana:
Was just told by a source that Oregon RB Jordon Davison has a broken clavicle. He will VERY LIKELY not play for the rest of the playoffs. #GoDucks
— Aaron J. Fentress (@AaronJFentress) January 6, 2026
That second part is not confirmed but it's difficult to imagine an RB playing with a broken clavicle. However, he did finish the… pic.twitter.com/iT14xetSMD
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Why is Oregon so thin at running back?
Oregon is dealing with several issues in its running back room, due to a combination of injuries and players transferring. According to ESPN's Pete Thamel, Whittington, who showed up on Thursday's injury report, will be a game-time decision. He is reportedly dealing with an "undisclosed injury," but he will attempt to warm-up and play.
Whittington arrived at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta appearing to be favoring his left foot:
Oregon is in the house.
— Brenna Greene (@BrennaGreene_) January 9, 2026
Noah Whittington was not in sweats but that could mean nothing. Seems to be favoring his left foot a bit but that might be me reading too much into his gait. Pic.twitter.com/Hapm2hAngm
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Thamel additionally showed Whittington warming up, and added that while he expected to play, he isn't expected to start:
Oregon’s leading rusher Noah Whittington is taking part in warm ups. He’s expected to play tonight, but likely not start. How much he plays depends on how he feels. He’d been listed as questionable. Ducks should know early on how effective he’ll be. Pic.twitter.com/j78VZ2aZz9
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) January 9, 2026
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Oregon head coach Dan Lanning said during a brief College GameDay interview that “we’ll see” regarding Whittington’s status, adding that it will depend on how he looks in warmups.
Whittington has rushed for 829 yards and six touchdowns this season. In his last three games, he has been held to an average of just 34 yards per game. In the first matchup against Indiana, the Hoosiers limited him to five carries for 27 yards.
But that’s not the entirety of Oregon’s running back issues. The Ducks’ second-leading rusher, Jordan Davison — who leads the team with 15 touchdowns — has been ruled out of Friday night’s game with an upper-body injury. Davison led the Ducks with 59 rushing yards against Indiana earlier this season.
Oregon has also lost running backs Makhi Hughes and Jayden Limar to the transfer portal. Da’Jaun Riggs, who has dealt with a foot injury for most of the 2025-26 season, has also been ruled out.
Jay Harris, despite entering the transfer portal, will be available to play. He has rushed for 116 yards and a touchdown this season. Oregon head coach Dan Lanning may also have to turn to true freshman Dierre Hill Jr. The former four-star prospect has rushed for 570 yards and five scores.
ESPN’s Katie George added to Pete Thamel’s reporting that the Ducks may even turn to defensive players, including safety Kilohana Haasenritter and linebacker Brayden Pratt.
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Have Brayden Platt and Kilohana Haasenritter, ever played RB?
Yes, although not very recently. Thamel reported that Haasenritter began his career as a tailback before moving to safety before the 2025 season.
According to Platt's Oregon bio, he played running back several times in high school. Haasenritter rushed for 49 yards with two touchdowns for the Ducks in 2022.
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