Oregon looking to replace Tyner's production in backfield after injury

Published Aug. 10, 2015 8:16 p.m. ET

foxsports

The Oregon Ducks took a major hit on offense as it was announced that junior running back Thomas Tyner would be out for the season following shoulder surgery.

While Tyner was not pegged to be Oregon's starting running back, he had been a very productive back over his first two seasons in Eugene. Moreover, the two-headed monster of Tyner and starting running back Royce Freeman was considered to be the one of the best tandems in the nation.

Now, the Ducks must move on without Tyner this season. The biggest question is this: Who will replace Tyner in the backfield and how can the Ducks make up for his 573 yards and five touchdowns from 2014?

Fortunately for the Ducks, they're incredibly well-positioned to replace Tyner's output. The obvious choice to replace Tyner would seem to be senior running back/wide receiver Byron Marshall.

Marshall ran for 1,038 yards as a sophomore in 2013 and was expected to be Oregon's starting running back in 2014. However, Freeman's breakout freshman campaign pushed Marshall to wide receiver, where he was incredible productive as a junior. In fact, Marshall became the first player in FBS history to gain 1,000 yards running in one season and follow it with a 1,000-yeard receiving season (1,003 yards in 2014).

With Freeman and Tyner in tow, it seemed likely that Marshall would return to his slot receiver role this season. However, now it seems like Marshall will split time between the two positions, similar to the role De'Anthony Thomas occupied during his time at Oregon.

Oregon head coach Mark Helfrich made it clear at Pac-12 Media Days that the Ducks were looking to Marshall to play some running back, though it's not clear if Helfrich knew about the severity of Tyner's injury at the time.

In speaking with the media, Helfrich said of the running back competition, "They'll compete their tails off. They're a perfect example of guys that coach each other during practice. Byron's in there." He continued, "They all know that they need each other, and we need all of them, especially at that position. Those guys are going to get hit."

While Marshall seems like the logical fit to replace Tyner, the Ducks have plenty of other options.

Tony Brooks-James, a former four-star prospect, redshirted last season but was a scout team star and finished the 2014 season as the Special Teams Scout-Team Player of the Year.

Brooks-James is one of Oregon's fastest players and clocked a 10.59 100 meters at a meet for Oregon's track and field team this spring. Brooks-James' fast and elusive style would mesh well with Freeman's bruising attack. It may not be the next incarnation of USC's thunder-and-lightning combination of Lendale White and Reggie Bush, but it could be similar.

The Ducks could also turn to four-star true freshman Taj Griffin. Griffin, who injured his knee in high school, is a "full-go" this fall, according to Helfrich. Griffin was one of the most sought-after running back recruits in the entire country last season and can absolutely fly.

However, with the Ducks staring down the possibility of having Marshall in a more permanent role at running back, Griffin could find himself spending time at slot receiver, along with standout sophomore Charles Nelson.

While the loss of Tyner is certainly noteworthy and disappointing, it's hardly the end of Oregon's season. Remember, Oregon made the College Football Playoff national championship in 2014 without the services of their top cornerback (Ifo Ekpre-Olomu), tight end (Pharaoh Brown), wide receiver (Bralon Addison) and tackle (Tyler Johnstone).

The Ducks, because of the job they've done in recruiting, are uniquely capable of replacing a player of Tyner's prodigious talents. Whether it's Marshall, Brooks-James, Griffin or someone else, the Ducks will survive 2015 without Thomas Tyner.

Jason Gold is a writer covering the Pac-12 for FOXSports.com. Follow Jason on Twitter @TheSportsGuy33.