Oregon will open its 2026 season against Boise State without two of its young receivers, including 5-star freshman Jalen Lott, who was not on the field for pregame warmups inside Autzen Stadium.
The Ducks are getting ready to kick off in Eugene, and with this being a non-Big Ten game, they do not have to release an injury report. That leaves the pregame scene as the clearest window into who is available, and Lott was not part of the group when Oregon’s wideouts came out to stretch and prepare.
The full team is out here in pads for warmups. Not among them is freshman WR Jalen Lott.
- Zachary Neel (@zacharycneel) September 5, 2026
UAB transfer Iverson Hooks was also missing from the receiver group, with both players in street clothes or otherwise sidelined before the opener. Lott had been dealing with injuries during the final weeks of camp, though the exact nature of those issues is still unknown until the staff addresses them after the game.
Oregon does not need to rush the freshman into action in a game like this, especially with Lott not projected as a starter. His long-term health is the bigger priority, and the Ducks can afford to be patient.
Lott arrived in Eugene as one of the most highly regarded players in the country, ranked 31st nationally, third among wide receivers and fourth in Texas.
With both Lott and Hooks unavailable, Oregon’s younger receivers should get a real opportunity to play. Freshmen Gatlin Bair and Messiah Hampton have both stood out during camp, and this opener should give them a chance to earn more work in the rotation.
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