Oregon has receiver problems of their own

Arizona Daily Wildcat Damon Griffin

Oregon lost star receiver Damon Griffin for at least four weeks with torn ligaments in his right thumb.

The senior flanker, who's 43 catches was second best for a receiver in the Pacific 10 Conference last season, damaged his thumb during passing drills last week. Griffin underwent surgery on Saturday.

"Not to diminish the importance of Damon, the wide receiver position is one in which we think we can afford to lose a player," Oregon Sports Information Director David Williford said last night. "We are very deep there and have four other guys who we feel can step in and play well for us."

The Wildcats have lost senior Jeremy McDaniel for at least two more weeks, while he continues to rehab a nagging hamstring injury. McDaniel led the Wildcats in number of catches, yards receiving and touchdown receptions last season.

The injury to Griffin moves sophomore Tony Hartley up to the No. 1 on the depth chart. Senior Pat Johnson, who ripped Arizona for close to 100 yards in kickoff returns in last season's 49-31 loss, will be the other starting wide receiver.

The top Oregon backups - redshirt freshman LaCorey Collins and junior-college transfer Donald Haynes -æare both playing in their first game as a Duck.

Griffin was a second team all-conference selection last season and will miss at least the Arizona season opener and the Sept. 13 game at Nevada.

Arizona hopes to have McDaniel back for their home opener against Alabama-Birmingham on Sept. 13, but it is unlikely.

In other injury news, Oregon sophomore tailback Derien Latimer returned to workouts Monday after missing all of fall practice with a hamstring injury.

Ducks head coach Mike Bellotti announced Monday he made two position changes. Freshman defensive lineman Al Cotton has moved to the offensive line, and junior-college transfer Anthony Martin has switched from tight end to the defensive line.

Besides McDaniel, Arizona's only other major injury is senior defensive end Steve Tafua, who will not make the trip to Oregon due to a concussion. Several Arizona starters including: Defensive tackle Joe Salave'a, end Mike Szlauko and offensive lineman Ryan Turley have been dinged this fall but are traveling and should start.