Oregon’s Thomas Tyner to miss all of 2015 after shoulder surgery

Tyner will miss the 2015-16 season after undergoing surgery on his shoulder Friday, Comcast SportsNet reports. The junior is expected to make a full recovery and return for the 2016 season, his father said. Tyner sustained an injury to his shoulder last season, with the lingering pain and discomfort over the last several months leading to the procedure. Tyner suffered the injury on the opening kickoff when Washington’s Shaq Thompson hit him, forcing him to leave the game and causing him to not be able to return to action. Tyner is eligible for a redshirt season, which would give the running back two more seasons at Oregon. Both running backs were named to the Doak Walker watch list.

Oregon coach Mark Helfrich is likely to be asked why Tyner’s need for surgery wasn’t determined when the offseason began, rather than just as it was ending. Freeman ran for 1,365 yards and 18 touchdowns while Tyner had five touchdowns.

Tyner was a five-star recruit in the class of 2013. Additionally, Byron Marshall could be moved back to receiver if the need arises. Oregon is still the favorite in the Pac-12 North and will be in the mix for a College Football Playoff bid as long as Freeman, Marshall and whoever wins the quarterback battle – my guess, for now, is Jeff Lockie over Vernon Adams – can provide a consistent ground attack.