Venue: Autzen Stadium

Format: Situational scrimmage

It was only two years ago, when injuries took their toll on the 2016 Oregon football team, that the Ducks took advantage of depth at tight end by moving at midseason to a base offense that employed two tight ends on the field together.

That group included Pharaoh Brown , Evan Baylis , Johnny Mundt and a freshman named Jacob Breeland . Now, just two short years later, Breeland is the headliner of a tight end group that is again forcing itself into the game plan through its depth and talent.

Not only did the 2018 Ducks return Breeland, but also sophomore Cam McCormick and junior Ryan Bay , both with game experience under their belts. The unit added physicality with converted defensive end Hunter Kampmoyer , and a freshman who can stretch the field in Spencer Webb . Then, over the summer, graduate transfer Kano Dillon added to Oregon's wealth at tight end.

"They're guys that are gonna be a big factor in our offense," head coach Mario Cristobal said Wednesday, following a practice that included some situational scrimmage periods. "They're good at the line of scrimmage, they're good off the ball, and they're good outside – not only as blockers, but as receivers. They've earned the right to be on the field."

And they have been, often this preseason, in sets using multiple tight ends. With little proven depth at receiver, and the running back corps beset by injuries, Oregon's tight end have featured prominently in this camp. They further enhance their value with their versatility; the tight ends can be used as what Cristobal calls "misplaced personnel," lining up as wing backs, halfbacks and slot receivers as well as in the traditional spot outside an offensive tackle.

Early in Wednesday's scrimmage periods, Bay got deep against broken coverage and hauled in a 43-yard catch-and-run touchdown pass from Braxton Burmeister . Then, in a red-zone drill, Justin Herbert completed back-to-back passes to Dillon, the second a 19-yard touchdown play. Later, given one rep to execute a "game-winning" touchdown play, Herbert looked to Dillon again, though the tight end couldn't keep a foot inbounds after the catch.

Dillon was rehabbing an injury when this preseason camp opened. He'd flashed his potential here and there in camp, but hadn't been healthy enough to do so in the previous two scrimmages. That changed Wednesday, when the graduate transfer finally had the chance to leave an impression, and made it a big one.

"Big-bodied guy with strong hands, that can run," Cristobal said of Dillon. "Because he weighs 270 pounds, I think people think he's not a runner, a guy that can stretch the field; this guy can run. And we're pleased with the progress we saw with him today."

Other highlights: The defense won most of Wednesday's situational drills. In a "four-minute" situation, with the offense needing to move the chains and milk clock to protect a lead, Jalen Jelks wrapped up Travis Dye on first down between the first-team units. That set the stage for the first of three straight three-and-outs, one each by the No. 1, No. 2 and No. 3 offenses. … In a two-minute drill in which the offense needed to drive to a "game-winning" field goal, Herbert was sacked by Justin Hollins on third down, and then forced a pass downfield on fourth down that was picked off by Jevon Holland . The No. 2 offense did win the drill, with Burmeister completing a long pass on fourth down to Brenden Schooler (above) that set up a 34-yard kick by Zach Emerson . …

The offense had little luck in a sequence of "one play to win the game" situations. Herbert completed a touchdown pass to Dillon Mitchell on the opening rep, but then had that pass caught out of bounds by Dillon, followed by another desperation heave into the end zone that was picked off by Ugochukwu Amadi (below). … Burmeister and the No. 2 offense went 0-for-3 in the drill, with one rep ending on a Sampson Niu sack. …

Johnny Johnson III made one of his patented leaping, fully laid out receptions during position drills early in the day. … In the 7-on-7 run-game drill, Austin Faoliu had a tackle for loss and moments later his brother, Andrew Faoliu , wrapped up Tony Brooks-James at the line. … In the first team period, Herbert peppered passes to Mitchell, McCormick and Tabari Hines . Burmeister had a pass hauled in by Dillon, who absorbed a big hit by Mattrell McGraw and held on. Keith Simms stopped a couple run plays in that period. … Herbert had touchdowns to Johnson and Mitchell in 7-on-7, which was conducted in the red zone.

Other observations: You may have noted above that Dye was getting some running back reps with the No. 1 offense, and that was the case not only in the red-zone drill but also the first full 11-on-11 period midway through practice. He clearly made a big impression in his return to action the last couple practices. … During kickoff coverage drills to end practice, Brady Breeze was consistently one of the first guys to the returner. … Cristobal said after practice all the guys currently sidelined by injury, including CJ Verdell , Nick Pickett and Adam Stack , would be back soon.

Former UO head coach Mike Bellotti and some ex-UO assistants were on hand to watch practice. Cristobal invited Bellotti to address the team afterward, after talking to the players about how they represent not only themselves but past players and coaches, and those to come in the future, when they mount their defense of Oregon's home turf in Autzen Stadium. Bellotti hit on several issues relating to the upcoming start of the season, including the fact it will be his first in decades not participating as a player, coach or broadcaster. "I'm gonna be in the stands watching you guys," he said. "I'm gonna watch, and I want to be proud. And I want you guys to make me proud."

Post-practice interview:

Head coach Mario Cristobal

Up Next: The Ducks will hold a light practice late Thursday morning, and then enter game preparations