EUGENE - Every college football team has dealt with injuries to key players by this point in the season.
That certainly includes Oregon, though the Ducks have been able to mask most of those losses with wins and depth.
"This team is as banged-up as any team I've been around," Ducks coach Chip Kelly said earlier this week as his team prepares for Saturday's Civil War against Oregon State at Autzen Stadium.
On offense, running backs Kenjon Barner and LaMichael James and receiver Josh Huff have all missed two games. Quarterback Darron Thomas sat out one, too.
Ramsen Golpashin started the season opener against LSU at right guard but was lost for the season to a knee injury.
The missed games have added up on defense as well.
Linebacker Michael Clay and cornerback Anthony Gildon have been out for three games, rover Brian Jackson for two and free safety John Boyett for one.
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"I give all those kids credit. You look at how fast our tailback (James) bounced back from what could have been a big-time deal. The rest of those guys ... they come to practice and they work," Kelly said.
"That's the one thing I really admired about this team, is they play like they owe it to each other to get out there in practice and continue to go."
James' dislocated elbow suffered against California on Oct. 6 was one of the injuries that had the most impact on the team.
James was back three games later, surprising some.
While he was out he didn't talk about how it might affect his status for postseason awards, but of wanting to get back onto the field to be with his teammates.
"What's great about this team is every person is doing as much as they possibly can," senior offensive guard Carson York said. "I think there's a feeling among most guys that if you're not out there you're not doing the most you can possibly do for the team, you're letting your guys down. I think for some of us that's our biggest fear, letting our teammates down."
Mark Asper, a senior offensive tackle, says when it comes to injuries there's a difference between the players who understand the vision Kelly is trying to create and those who don't.
If you understand the effort others are putting out, you'll come back and play as soon as you can.
"A talented guy like LaMichael, him back at 75 percent is still a significant contribution to the team," Asper said.
With the injuries, the Ducks have had other players step forward.
Bryan Bennett started one game at quarterback when Thomas was out due to a sprained knee. Barner and Tra Carson got extra carries with James resting his elbow.
The Ducks have developed their depth in the defensive backfield with Boyett, Gildon and Jackson sitting out for stretches.
"The next-man-in mentality, I think our guys have been fairly resilient that way," Oregon offensive coordinator Mark Helfrich said. "It's neat to be around. You like to see that, but at the same time you're always deferring to the sports medicine staff and what the recommendations are. All those guys want to jump in there immediately."