Oregon coach Dan Lanning and his staff are once again getting creative with personnel this spring. Depth at tight end is a concern after Terrance Ferguson was shut down for the remainder of spring ball over the weekend.

Patrick Herbert and Kenyon Sadiq are the only healthy scholarship tight ends on the roster.

When he met with reporters on Tuesday, Lanning name-dropped freshman defensive end Matayo Uiagalelei and second-year offensive lineman Josh Conerly Jr. as players who could step in and take tight end reps in a pinch.

“Matayo is a guy that’s had history (playing the position). (Jake) Shipley is a little dinged up right now, but he’s a guy that’s been able to flip over to the other side,” Lanning said. “We also have guys like Conerly who lined up as a tight end last year in a game. I think we have a lot of guys who have some versatility there.”

Conerly notably caught a touchdown pass against Colorado last season, bringing in a 4-yard score out of the Ducks’ heavy formation.

But he’s expected to take over as the team’s starting left tackle. After just 115 snaps as a blocker last season (per Pro Football Focus), as many reps at tackle as he can get during the spring will be beneficial for his development.

Uiagalelei was a two-way star for St. John Bosco. On the offensive side, he had 24 receptions for 335 yards and six touchdowns as a senior last fall.

The Ducks’ spring game takes place April 29. Players have until April 30 to enter their names into the transfer portal. Oregon will be active in searching for some extra depth between now and then.

“It’s certainly a position that we have a need for and have our eyes open for,” Lanning said.