Darron Thomas Injury: Update on Oregon Star's Status

Oregon Ducks quarterback Darron Thomas left during the third quarter of Saturday's Pac-12 clash against the Arizona State Sun Devils with a left knee injury. According to ESPN sideline reporter Erin Andrews, Thomas "tweaked" his knee while he was tackled after scrambling for six yards and would not return.

How This Changes Heisman Watch

Thomas had been a fringe Heisman Trophy candidate coming into Week 7 of the college football season, with 17 touchdowns passes to his credit against just three interceptions before he went down at Autzen Stadium. However, he was still well behind the likes of Andrew Luck, Russell Wilson, Brandon Weeden and Trent Richardson, among others, in the race for college football's most coveted individual award.

Immediate Impact on Rankings

Losing Thomas for any length of time will hurt the Ducks tremendously in the polls. Chip Kelly's club was already without the services of stud running back LaMichael James, who dislocated his elbow against Cal last week. Redshirt freshman Brian Bennett performed admirably in Thomas' absence, but lacks the experience and passing prowess to keep Oregon atop the Pac-12 for long.

Bowl Devastation Scale

Thomas' injury registers as an eight on the Bowl Devastation Scale. Without Thomas under center, the Ducks will be hard-pressed to pull out a win at No. 7 Stanford on Nov. 12 in a game that will determine which team represents the North Division in the inaugural Pac-12 championship game. Oregon isn't likely to make a BCS bowl unless it wins the conference.

Timeline For Return

Thomas emerged from the locker room under his own power in the third quarter and didn't appear to be hobbling at all. Assuming, then, that Thomas' knee tweak isn't too serious, he should be back in time to play for the Ducks when they travel to Boulder to whoop on Pac-12 newcomer Colorado next weekend.

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