Oregon Ducks' Dan Lanning Reveals Update on Evan Stewart's Injury Rehab

Oregon Ducks wide receiver Evan Stewart suffered a torn patellar tendon earlier this offseason, putting his 2025-2026 season in doubt. Oregon coach Dan Lanning spoke to the media on Wednesday about Stewart's injury rehab.

Nov 16, 2024; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Oregon Ducks wide receiver Evan Stewart (7) greets fans following the game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images | Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images

Oregon Ducks wide receiver Evan Stewart suffered a torn patellar tendon in his knee earlier this offseason which has put his entire 2025-2026 season in doubt. Stewart was projected to be Oregon’s No. 1 target this season.

Dan Lanning On Evan Stewart Injury Rehab

Oregon coach Dan Lanning during Oregon football’s Media Day on July 28, 2025, at Autzen Stadium in Eugene. | Ben Lonergan/The Register-Guard / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Oregon Ducks coach Dan Lanning spoke to the media on Wednesday. Lanning talked about Evan Stewart’s rehab. Lanning stated that Stewart would not be rehabbing in Miami during the entire fall and will be back in Eugene “When he’s back.”

Dan Lanning: Evan Stewart will not be rehabbing in Miami all fall. Will be in Eugene “when he’s back.”

— James Crepea (@JamesCrepea) July 30, 2025

If Stewart does indeed come back to Eugene at some point this fall, that could signal he is closer to coming back to action. 

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Evan Stewart Injury A Tough Blow For Oregon

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 | Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images

The Evan Stewart injury is devastating for Oregon’s offense as they look to fill the void left by their top offensive performers last season. Oregon will be without quarterback Dillon Gabriel, leading wide receiver Tez Johnson, and leading rusher Jordan James, who all were selected in the 2025 NFL Draft. 

Stewart is heading into his second year with the Ducks and looked poised to be a star. In 2024 with Oregon, Stewart had 48 catches for 613 yards and five receiving touchdowns. 

Stewart’s first two collegiate seasons were with the Texas A&M Aggies in 2022 and 2023. In these two years, he totaled 91 catches for 1,163 yards and six receiving touchdowns.

In an exclusive interview with Oregon Ducks on SI reporter Bri Amaranthus, Lanning discussed Stewart's rehab and how he feels about his receiver room stepping up to fill his void

"He's going to be down for a while," Lanning told Amaranthus. "I don't want to put a timeline on Evan. I don't know how long that'll be, but he's on the road recovery and he's done a lot for the Ducks. We love having him be a part of our team and hopefully at some point he can make an impact for us. But I don't know exactly what that looks like."

Oregon's New Look Offense in 2025

Combat Ducks quarterback Dante Moore hands off the ball to running back Noah Whittington as the Fighting Ducks face off against Mighty Oregon in the Oregon Ducks spring game on April 26, 2025, at Autzen Stadium in Eugene. | Ben Lonergan/The Register-Guard / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The Oregon Ducks offensive attack will look a lot different than it did in 2024. The Ducks new starting quarterback will be Dante Moore. Moore played his freshman season for the UCLA Bruins in 2023 before transferring to Oregon. Moore saw very limited action for the Ducks last season while he was backing up Dillon Gabriel.

Oregon will be without their top three leading wide receivers from 2024. Tez Johnson and Traeshon Holden are each in the NFL and Stewart is out with his injury. Wide receivers Justius Lowe, Jurrion Dickey, and Jeremiah McClellan are just a few that will have a big role in 2025. The Ducks also have incoming freshman phenom Dakorien Moore.

At running back, Oregon was aggressive in the transfer portal. They got former Tulane running back Makhi Hughes who looks to be the lead back in 2025. Oregon's leading rusher from 2024, Jordan James, was drafted by the Sa Francisco 49ers. This also opens the door for Noah Whittington. He has been with the Ducks since 2022 and rushed for 540 yards and six touchdowns last season.

It will take some time for this offense to adjust with all of the moving parts, but the talent is there. Oregon's first game will be on Saturday, August 30 against the Montana State Bobcats at Autzen Stadium.