'Noah's a freak': Oregon running back Whittington returns from a major knee injury

Noah Whittington’s knee is healthy, his body feels strong and he's declared himself mentally ready to get back on the field.

But after a major injury ended his junior season four games into last fall, the Oregon running back also admitted there would be some nerves Wednesday when the Ducks held their first football practice of fall camp.

“It’s been a long time,” Whittington said Monday during Oregon’s team media day at Autzen Stadium . “But I wouldn’t say it’s a bad nervous. It’s more so I’m just anxious, ready to get that first contact, ready to play my first game, first practice, just feel like the first time for everything again.”

Whittington tore his ACL in the Ducks’ home win against Colorado on Sept. 23 , leading to reconstructive knee surgery and a long recovery process that could’ve been even longer.

When Whittington had his surgery, he was told by doctors it would a year-long recovery process before he returned to the field.

Instead, Whittington said he is ready to return just 10 months after getting hurt.

“Noah’s a freak,” running back Jordan James said. “He’s squatting with us, he’s doing everything with us. I’m just excited to get him back on the field. He’s a role model to me and everyone in the locker room.”

When Whittington went down, it was James who stepped in as Bucky Irving’s primary backup and was impressive enough to be considered the presumptive starter heading in 2024.

But getting Whittington back in the rotation would give the Ducks a proven performer in the backfield.

In his 17 games at Oregon since transferring from Western Kentucky in 2022, Whittington has combined for 1,172 yards of offense and eight touchdowns. He’s rushed for 925 yards and seven TDs on 159 carries, and caught 32 passes for 247 yards and one score.

“Just to give it all I got, attack every day like it’s my last,” Whittington said when asked what his goals are heading into the season. “Going through what I went through last year, I fully understand that this can be taken away from you at any point.”

It hasn’t been an easy 10 months, Whittington said, with the hardest days coming last season when he had to sit and watch his team go 12-2, play in the Pac-12 championship game and win the Fiesta Bowl.

“It wasn’t fun at all,” Whittington said. “I definitely wouldn’t recommend it. … You feel like you’re missing so much time. I got hurt early in the year so I really missed the whole season. But there’s that mental piece of being able to tell yourself eventually your time’s gonna come for you to get back out there and you’re either going to be prepared or unprepared.”

There’s no doubt which path Whittington took.

“Noah just works,” coach Dan Lanning said. “Kind of keeps his mouth shut and just works. He’s come back quicker than anticipated in some ways because of how he works.

“We always talk about when you’re injured being an aggressive rehab specialist. I’d say he’s ahead of the curve right now and he looks really good.”

Follow Chris Hansen on X @chansen_RG or email at chansen@registerguard.com . For more sports coverage, visit registerguard.com.

This article originally appeared on Register-Guard: 'Noah's a freak': Oregon running back Whittington returns from a major knee injury