Morning Quack Fix: LaMichael OK, Blount out (for personal reasons), and foes' injury woes

Only 15 days to go. And I'm not sure I can wait any longer. After seeing that SI cover in the airport on Sunday night, my patience is running out. A dose of quack is really all that can keep me alive for just over two weeks. So, here it is:

• Running back LeGarrette Blount was not at yesterday's practice due to personal reasons. He reportedly flew back to Florida to deal with family issues.
• Oregon baseball coach George Horton reflected Tuesday on the tense negotiations between Ducks recruit Tyler Matzek and the Colorado Rockies.
• Some news about the Beavers: Receiver Darrell Catchings will need surgery to repair a broken bone in his right hand and is out for the season. The Oregonian's Ken Goe thinks the loss of Catchings is bad news for the Beavs. Of course, that means we might be seeing Markus Wheaton, former Oregon star Kenny Wheaton's cousin, who says he would have gone to Oregon if it weren't for a few offseason coaching moves. I think he's probably referring to Robin Pflugrad. Additionally, ESPN.com's Ted Miller reports Sean Canfield will likely be under center when the Beavers' season kicks off with Portland State on Sept. 5.
  
• Good news for the Ducks: Boise State defensive tackle Greg Grimes will miss the Sept. 3 season opener due to a leg injury, Broncos head coach Chris Petersen announced. Grimes is the second BSU D-lineman out after Petersen suspended Michael Atkinson following a DUI arrest before fall camp. If our O-line is, in fact, a question mark, it might be less of one for Oregon's opener on the Smurf Turf.
  
• Duck Territory's tony_d has a nice breakdown of how former Ducks in the NFL have stacked up so far in the preseason.
• Flordia blog GatorsFirst has an interview with Dan Rubenstein previewing the Ducks' season. Rubenstein is a self-proclaimed Oregon fan and co-host of the Solid Verbal podcast. He also writes for SI.com.
• GoDucks.com has a few post-practice videos worth taking a look at, especially Jerry Allen's interview with head coach Chip Kelly.
• Breathe deep: Running back LaMichael James is okay. He was practicing yesterday with a wrap on his knee after taking a tough shot in Monday's practice.
• The Oregonian's John Hunt has a nice chart of the Ducks on preseason watch lists, in case you're having trouble keeping track. And that fact that we need a chart for this is a good thing.

As always, post any comments, random thoughts, or links below.

GO DUCKS!