Oregon Ducks vs. Cal Bears

Oregon Ducks running back De'Anthony Thomas watches from the sideline Saturday on crutches after injuring his right ankle on the game's first play against California.

(Bruce Ely / The Oregonian)

EUGENE -- Oregon running backs coach Gary Campbell didn't mince words Tuesday when asked about De'Anthony Thomas' injured right ankle, saying his goal for the junior Heisman Trophy candidate "is to be ready this week but obviously that's not going to happen."

That's the most detailed assessment yet of Thomas' injury status entering No. 2 Oregon's (4-0, 1-0 Pac-12) matchup Saturday against Colorado (2-1, 0-1) in Boulder. That game comes one week after Thomas injured the ankle on the opening kickoff against California. He was helped off the field by a teammate and never played again, instead re-entering the stadium after halftime on crutches.

After UO's rout of the Golden Bears, Thomas called his injury a sprain, but seemed unworried by its severity. Campbell also called the injury a sprain Tuesday.

"Those things are always day to day," Campbell said. "He's walking around on it a little bit and we're just hoping every day it gets a little bit better."

Part of his rehab this week comes from running on an underwater treadmill, and said his ankle "feels good." Thomas spoke with the media wearing a boot on his right foot.

"I feel like it's not bad, it's just a great learning experience and I have to learn off it," he said. "I talked with a couple of my family members and they said, 'When it's raining out there run straight.'"

Thomas has rushed for 338 yards in essentially three games, averaging 8.0 yards per carry and 84.5 per game, to go with six touchdowns.