Oregon receives positive news regarding a top playmaker who may be making a return from injury sooner than originally thought

Oregon Ducks Evan Stewart may be making a return this season after all.

Brentley Weissman College Football Trending News Writer
Add as preferred source on Google
Nov 16, 2024; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Oregon Ducks wide receiver Evan Stewart (7) rushes with the football in front of Wisconsin Badgers cornerback Ricardo Hallman (2) after catching a pass during the fourth quarter at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images

It wasn’t all bad news for the Oregon Ducks following their loss to Indiana. Head coach Dan Lanning provided a promising update on wide receiver Evan Stewart, who has been sidelined with a torn patellar tendon since the offseason. 

Potential return

During his Friday press conference, Lanning said there’s still optimism surrounding Stewart’s return this season.

“He’s progressing really well,” Lanning said. “We’ll continue to evaluate him week to week, but we’re definitely hopeful we’ll get him back before the end of the season.”

That optimism gained even more traction after Stewart reposted an Instagram story suggesting he could return to action in November, fueling excitement that the Ducks’ top wideout might rejoin the team for the home stretch of BIG-10 play.

Before the injury, Stewart was considered an early-round NFL prospect and had been showcasing his explosiveness and route-running ability. His potential return would significantly boost an Oregon offense that struggled to find consistency in the passing game against Indiana. With Stewart in the fold, players like Dakorien Moore, Malik Benson, and Gary Bryant could slide back into more complementary roles, which is where they are best suited at this juncture. 

If Stewart can return in time for the Ducks’ late-season push, it could be precisely what Oregon needs to regain its rhythm and reassert itself as a playoff contender.