Oregon’s offense was blistering in 2022, and a huge reason for that was the play it got from its offensive line. A veteran-laden group led the country in sacks allowed and paved the way for one of the most efficient offenses.

The 2023 unit will introduce a few new faces, but it’ll also include a sixth-year standout.

Steven Jones is coming back, he announced Tuesday evening.

“First off, I would like to say thank you Duck fans for all the love and support I have received since coming to Oregon,” Jones said. “Thank you to all my family and friends who continue to support me throughout my career here at Oregon. I would like to thank my mother and father for being by my side every step of the way. Without your guidance and support, I would not be in the position that I am in today, so thank you.

“Due to injury, my season did not turn out like how i wanted. With that being said, I am excited to return to Oregon for my final season of eligibility and will continue to uphold and grow an elite culture Dan Lanning and his staff has built.”

A year ago this time, Jones announced that he’d spend one more season at Oregon before moving on to the NFL. An injury suffered in Week 2 against Eastern Washington forced those plans to change.

He started at right guard for the Ducks in their first two games, but missed the next eight games. Jones returned to the field in the Ducks’ win over Utah, then returned to the starting lineup a week later against Oregon State.

Oregon will lose both tackles this offseason — Malaesala Aumavae-Laulu and T.J. Bass — as well as standout center Alex Forsyth and guard Ryan Walk. It is expected to return Jackson Powers-Johnson and Marcus Harper — who stepped in as a starter with Jones out — to help Jones anchor the interior of the offensive line.