Former Texas A&M standout and current Oregon Ducks receiver Evan Stewart is facing a significant setback that could spell the end of his 2025 season before it even begins. According to reports, Stewart suffered a torn patellar tendon in his knee this week, an injury that often requires an extended and careful recovery.
Evan Stewart, known for his explosive playmaking abilities, was poised to be one of the top wide receivers in college football and a key prospect for the 2026 NFL Draft. News of his injury was confirmed by On3’s Pete Nakos, who detailed that the recovery timeline can vary widely, ranging anywhere from three to twelve months, based on how severe the injury is.
Before making the move to Oregon, Stewart had made a name for himself at Texas A&M. As a five-star recruit in 2022, he lived up to the hype with the Aggies, notching 91 receptions, 1,163 yards, and six touchdowns over 18 games. His transfer to Oregon last offseason proved beneficial as he finished his inaugural year with the Ducks with an impressive 48 receptions, totaling 613 yards and racking up a career-high five touchdowns. His contributions were key to Oregon’s perfect 12-0 regular season and their triumph in the Big Ten Championship against Penn State, earning them the top seed in the College Football Playoff.
Unfortunately, Stewart’s season ended on the sidelines as he missed the Rose Bowl following a mysterious lower back injury that he later clarified occurred post-championship in practice, not during pregame warmups as initially speculated. Despite fighting to regain his form, the decision was eventually made to sit him out of the game.
With Stewart now facing another round of adversity, the Oregon Ducks will need to regroup. They’ll look to a promising lineup that includes seasoned returnees Gary Bryant Jr. and Justius Lowe, as well as infusion from Florida State transfer Malik Benson and standout freshman Dakorien Moore. While Stewart’s absence is significant, the Ducks anticipate that their depth at the receiver position will help them navigate through the upcoming challenges.
