Updated

Updated · The Guardian · Sep 27

Oregon's Dante Moore Hospitalized After Late Hit in 41-27 Win, Prompting Targeting Ejection

Updated

Updated · The Guardian · Sep 27

Oregon's Dante Moore Hospitalized After Late Hit in 41-27 Win, Prompting Targeting Ejection

Q: With Caleb Williams scrutinized and the Bears' backup concussed, will a third-string veteran be forced to salvage Chicago's uncertain season?

Yes—Case Keenum could be forced into a major role, but Chicago is still waiting on Tyson Bagent before making that call. Caleb Williams has been ruled out for Monday night against Philadelphia with a Grade 1 hamstring strain after leaving the Vikings game. Coach Ben Johnson has called the MRI “somewhat encouraging” and labeled Williams week-to-week, but that does not solve the immediate problem. Bagent, the primary backup, suffered a concussion after replacing Williams and is still in the league’s protocol, even though he returned to practice and is listed as questionable. That leaves Keenum, the 38-year-old third-string veteran, as a real possibility to start if Bagent does not get final clearance. Chicago has prepared for that scenario all week, with Keenum taking first-team practice snaps while Williams sat out and Bagent worked through protocol. Johnson has publicly expressed confidence in both Bagent and Keenum, stressing that each has won games in the league. If Keenum starts, the Bears are unlikely to ask him to carry the offense aggressively against an Eagles defense that has been strong versus the pass. The more realistic plan would be to lean on Chicago’s rushing attack, which has been one of the league’s better early-season units, and try to protect the quarterback with a controlled game script. So the Bears’ uncertain season is not yet entirely in Keenum’s hands—but unless Bagent clears in time, the veteran will be the one asked to steady it for at least one week.

3 articles · Updated · The Guardian · Sep 27

Dan Lanning said Dante Moore was "in recovery" and moving after the Oregon quarterback was hospitalized during the Ducks' 41-27 win over USC in Los Angeles.
Desman Stephens II hit Moore in the head as the quarterback began to slide on a scramble, drawing a targeting call and immediate ejection.
Fights broke out while Moore lay on the field, and both teams were penalized for unsportsmanlike conduct as Oregon players reacted emotionally to the injury.
Dylan Raiola replaced Moore and finished 19 of 25 for 289 yards and two touchdowns, saying the incident galvanized Oregon after Moore had started 8 of 10 for 77 yards.
Moore entered the season as a projected top NFL draft pick after a 3,565-yard, 30-touchdown 2025 campaign and had already thrown for 849 yards and nine scores in three games.

Sources

The Guardian14d ago

Oregon QB Dante Moore Hospitalized After Late Hit by USC's Desman Stephens II

Fox News14d ago

Oregon QB Dante Moore Carted Off After Head Hit by USC's Desman Stephens II

USA TODAY14d ago

Dante Moore injury: Oregon QB takes hit to head, teammates scuffle with USC

13 Sources

After a violent hit and controversial sideline laughs, what consequences await USC's ejected linebacker as Oregon's playoff hopes hang in the balance?

With Caleb Williams scrutinized and the Bears' backup concussed, will a third-string veteran be forced to salvage Chicago's uncertain season?