Oregon vast receiver Evan Stewart suffered a knee damage this week and will miss in depth time as he recovers from what’s believed to be a torn patellar tendon. The previous five-star recruit and top-returning goal within the Geese’ receiving unit confirmed in a social media publish that he’s on the mend, and he mentioned to not put a timeline on his return to the sphere. CBS Sports activities’ Matt Zenitz reported that there’s concern Stewart may miss the whole 2025 season.
The offseason damage is a major setback for the Oregon offense, which should change the highest two wideouts by receiving yardage from a 12 months in the past in Tez Johnson and Traeshon Holden. Stewart hauled in 48 catches for 613 yards and 5 touchdowns in his Oregon debut. The 5 scores had been a profession excessive.
“Thanks for all of the properly needs, I am on the street to restoration,” Stewart mentioned. “Do not put a timeline on me. Following God’s Plan! Thanks for the prayers! Be again quickly!”
The 2025 season was initially an NFL audition for Stewart, who has one 12 months of eligibility remaining however may add one other 12 months to his clock if the damage forces him to overlook sufficient time. He figured to be a go-to weapon for brand new projected beginning quarterback Dante Moore, who transferred into this system for the 2024 season and backed up Dillon Gabriel. The knee damage put all of that in query.
In Stewart’s absence, Dan Lanning has quite a few choices at his disposal, although none of them carry practically as a lot expertise as premier weapons. Essentially the most tantalizing of these depth chart risers is five-star freshman Dakorien Moore, who enrolled early and dazzled in spring practices as an electrical athlete with a large catch radius. Fellow newcomer Malik Benson, who transferred this offseason from Florida State, is one other recent face with upside.
Among the many returning gamers within the Geese’ receiving corps, senior Gary Bryant Jr. and junior Justius Lowe possess the clearest paths to taking part in time. Bryant missed all however two video games final 12 months with an damage of his personal, whereas Lowe accounted for 21 catches, 203 yards and a landing.
Oregon stays a top-tier contender within the Huge Ten on the heels of its debut season within the 18-team league. The Geese received the convention with an ideal 13-0 report earlier than they fell to Ohio State in a Faculty Soccer Playoff quarterfinal matchup on the Rose Bowl.
