Report: Oregon's Marcus Mariota has MCL sprain

USA TODAY Sports

Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota already had a banged-up, braced-up left knee before Stanford ended the Ducks' undefeated season on Thursday night.

Though the Heisman candidate called the injury "nothing exceptional" following the Ducks' 26-20 loss, there might be more to it.

ESPN's Ivan Maisel, citing a school official, reported Friday that Mariota has a partial sprain of the MCL in his left knee.

TV station KVAL in Eugene, Ore., reported before the game that Mariota was wearing the brace because of an MCL injury.

Mariota was held in check much of the night by the smothering Stanford defense. He carried the ball three times and was sacked three times for -16 yards. A year ago, he rushed 12 times against Stanford for 89 yards.

Mariota acknowledged he was playing in pain, but he declined to go into detail.

"I can't really talk about those kinds of things," he said.

Mariota said the knee brace did not affect his ability to run.

"It just is what it is. ... I will take it and get healthy and I'll be ready for next week," Mariota said.

Oregon (8-1) hosts Utah on Nov. 16.