Ducks’ Costa out 8-10 weeks

EUGENE, Ore. – The 21st-ranked Oregon Ducks plan to start sophomore quarterback Justin Roper when they open the season Saturday against Washington.

The Ducks said Monday that sophomore Nate Costa’s knee injury will require surgery to repair damaged cartilage. He is likely to miss eight to 10 weeks.

Costa was the presumptive starter when fall camp began, but last week he injured his surgically reconstructed left knee in practice.

The team said that MRI results were inconclusive as to ligament damage, but that will get assessed during his surgery.

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Arizona tight end Rob Gronkowski will miss the season opener against Idaho, and possibly more.

Gronkowski will be out with strep throat, and possibly mononucleosis. Additional medical tests are scheduled.