EUGENE – Oregon running back LaMichael James said Tuesday that he hadn't viewed moment when he dislocated his right elbow Tuesday night against California at Autzen Stadium.

And he doesn't plan to.

"I've seen it live," he said. "I don't want to see it again."

Who would blame him? The site of his arm bending backward like a Gumby doll was gruesome enough to make most of the 59,000-plus in attendance gasp and has potentially sidelined James for at least a game, maybe more.

Potentially because the Ducks' all-time leading rusher and scorer stopped short of declaring himself out for Saturday night's game against No. 18 Arizona State at Autzen Stadium. Instead he offered only the following when evaluating his status: "I don't know, yet. I'll have to wait to see."

While it's possible James could pull a Willis Reed and stun fans just as the former New York Knicks center did during Game 7 of the 1970 NBA Finals by unexpectedly playing with a severe thigh injury, all signs point to James being out.

Saturday is not a championship game or the final game of the season. Oregon (4-1, 2-0 Pacific-12 Conference) has at least seven games remaining and hopes of playing in the conference title game and BCS bowl game. And the Ducks have a wealth of young talent behind James at running back.

Risking James' health for one game would appear to be illogical unless he is fully healthy. Still, nothing out of Eugene suggests that James will be out of the lineup long.

"I don't want to miss too many games," he said.

James has spent hours each day rehabilitating the injury. He lifts weights in a swimming pool to lessen resistance and maintains his endurance by running. Reducing the swelling in his elbow is the most important thing on the agenda.

"Once swelling goes down, I'll be fine," he said.

He has a key point of reference for optimism. Detroit Lions running back Jahvid Best in 2008 while at California dislocated his elbow and missed just one game. He did have surgery after the season.

The schedule could provide opportunity for James to miss more games, if needed. Oregon's schedule softens a bit following ASU. Oregon plays at Colorado (1-5, 0-2) before returning home to face an improved Washington State team (3-2, 1-1). That leads into the toughest three-game stretch of the season with games at Washington (4-1, 2-0), and at No. 7 Stanford (5-0, 3-0) before returning home to face USC (4-1, 2-1).

James said his spirits remain high, thanks in part to the support of fans, he said, have shown to be truly concerned about his health more so than winning football games.

Just don't pat him on his upper body while showing support.

"Usually when I go to school I wear my brace so everybody knows, don't bump my shoulder," he said.

James will wear a brace once he returns to action, as well. If that's not this weekend, he said he would extend his practice role as No. 2 running backs coach into game day. But he won't be holding a clipboard.

"I'm going to get a visor," he said. "The same one Chip has."

Another indication that James will be more apt to sit out is his, and everyone in the program's confidence in fellow running backs Kenjon Barner, and freshmen Tra Carson and De'Anthony Thomas.

"(They are) one reason I'm not going to push it, I'm not going to rush back on the field to jeopardize my career here," James said. "I'm really confident in those guys to get the job

Offensive lineman Mark Asper said the team would likely miss the energy and leadership James adds. Having James on the sideline, however, should minimize that.

“I don’t imagine it will be too much of a drop off,” Asper said.

What won't be impacted at all, Asper said, is how the linemen do their jobs. Who is running behind them is irrelevant to how they block. Half the time, Asper said, the line doesn't even know which back is in the game until after the play: "There's a pile of people and you're picking people up and you're like, 'oh, hey, Kenjon. Didn't even know you were in the game. What's up?'"

And that's how Kelly likes it. He said Barner and James are interchangeable talents.

"I look at Kenjon as the same thing as LaMichael in terms of what he can do and what plays you can call," Kelly said.

Scheme won't change much for Thomas and Carson, either.

Running backs coach Gary Campbell said Thomas and Carson haven't given the team any reason to doubt their abilities to be productive.

"I don't think we'll do much of a change," Campbell said. "Obviously, it's a little bit of a mental change for those guys knowing that they have to step up. LaMike had to step up when LeGarrette (Blount was suspended in 2009) and now these guys have to step up now that LaMike is out."

How long that might be is anyone's guess at this point.

--Aaron Fentress

Follow @AaronJFentress