Oregon Ducks offensive tackle Tyler Johnstone endured his second ACL tear in the last 12 months last week and will undergo surgery to repair the torn ligament. Losing Johnstone’s experience is a devastating blow to the early PAC 12 favorite.
Johnstone, a three year starter, was preparing for the team’s season opener August 30 against North Dakota before the major setback. Johnstone first tore his ACL during the Ducks’ Alamo Bowl victory against Texas and may not have given himself the recovery time necessary to heal back to full strength.
Oregon is seen by many as a favorite to win not only the PAC-12 Conference, but the national championship as well. The Ducks are now forced to play without their starting left tackle, an irreplaceable piece of an offense run by a Heisman contending quarterback in need of all the protection he can get.
