Per Adam Jude, Avery Patterson out for season with an ACL tear

While we all feared this after seeing Avery Patterson leave the field against Cal on Saturday, it's now confirmed: Avery Patterson will miss the rest of the season after tearing his ACL. Adam Jude provided the news through a source to the Oregonian.

This is another tough blow to the Duck's depleted secondary. First, John Boyett had to have season-ending surgery. Then, his backup, Patterson was lost for the year. Backup corners Troy Hill and Dior Mathis did not make the trip to Cal for unknown reasons.

At this very moment, Oregon's secondary is without half of the players that started the year on the two- deep. Patterson had been excellent in replacement of Boyett, though he struggled at times against USC. With Patterson out, Brian Jackson, Erick Dargan, and James Scales will split time at the safety positions. I wouldn't be surprised to see another true freshman pressed into duty, even this late in the season.

While the defensive line injuries have gotten a lot of press, Oregon's secondary is in similar shape. While the Ducks leads the nation in margin of victory, these injuries will give Stanford, OSU, and the Pac-12 South Champion (if Oregon qualifies for that game) a good shot at beating the Ducks.