Skip to main content
Come Fan with UsTuesday, August 4, 2026

Marcus Mariota injured, reportedly played Stanford with hurt knee

Oregon’s Heisman-candidate quarterback was already playing through a knee injury in Palo Alto, according to one report.

Jonathan Ferrey

Update: Mariota returned, but appeared hesitant to run all night.

Heisman Trophy favorite Marcus Mariota was injured in the third quarter against Stanford, coming up with a limp after being sacked by multiple Stanford defenders. He was helped off the field, then circled by teammates and trainers as he sat on the bench. There’s been no official word as to his status, but he’s clearly banged up. ESPN’s reported his backups are warming up.

Nothing else is going right for the Ducks, who also lost the ball on the play while trailing 20-0.

Oregon reportedly got some troubling news before the game even began:

The good news for Oregon going forward, if Mariota does have to miss time, is that they have two backup quarterbacks with 2013 game experience, thanks to the severity with which they have blown out most of their opponents. Both sophomore Jeff Lockie and redshirt freshman Jake Rodrigues have taken snaps for the Ducks. Lockie, who would play in place of Mariota, has made his way into six games, has completed 8 of 11 passes for 57 yards and an interception.

More from SB Nation college football:

College football’s biggest Thursday night ever?

TV schedule guide: The season’s best weekend yet

BCS title game odds, no matter what happens Thursday night

At the scene of the SEC’s newest bitter rivalry

Long reads: Has Baylor crafted the ultimate football offense?

• Watch Easy Call’s Week 11 picks and nuggets:

College Football
Heisman Trophy rankings: Predicting college football’s top contenders for 2026Heisman Trophy rankings: Predicting college football’s top contenders for 2026
College Football

College football’s long list of Heisman Trophy candidates entering 2026 season

By Mark Schofield
College Football
College Football Reacts: Are patch deals ok for the game?College Football Reacts: Are patch deals ok for the game?
College Football

Let us know how you feel about the takeover of patch deals in college football

By Kyle Thele
College Football
College football rankings: Preseason top-25 teams, according to usCollege football rankings: Preseason top-25 teams, according to us
College Football

Here’s our top-25 teams in college football.

By Mark Schofield
NFL Draft beat
How NFL-ready is Arch Manning?How NFL-ready is Arch Manning?
NFL Draft beat

Arch Manning is the presumptive QB1 in the 2027 draft class that’s supposed to be generational. What does he need to improve in order to make that a reality?

By Doug Farrar
College Football
College Football 27 review: The greatest meal that leaves a bad taste in your mouthCollege Football 27 review: The greatest meal that leaves a bad taste in your mouth
College Football

Brilliant in so many ways, flawed in one key area.

By James Dator
NFL
Brendan Sorsby stuck as NFL announces NO Supplemental Draft in 2026Brendan Sorsby stuck as NFL announces NO Supplemental Draft in 2026
NFL

Another setback for the QB.

By James Dator