Evan Stewart hasn’t played a snap for Oregon this season, but that could change-and soon. The standout wide receiver is making steady progress from the knee injury that sidelined him before the year even began, and there’s growing optimism that he could return to the field during the Ducks’ postseason run.
According to reports, Stewart has been upgraded to doubtful for Oregon’s upcoming matchup against James Madison. That’s a notable shift, especially considering he hasn’t been available all year. If the Ducks handle business against the Dukes-and they’ll be heavily favored to do just that-there’s a real chance Stewart could suit up as early as January 1, when Oregon would face Texas Tech in the next round.
Let’s be clear: if Stewart is able to return, it’s a game-changer for this Ducks offense.
Before his injury, Stewart was coming off his most productive college season in 2024, when he caught 48 passes for 613 yards and five touchdowns. That kind of production doesn’t just disappear, and Oregon knows exactly what kind of weapon they’d be getting back. Stewart brings elite speed, crisp route-running, and a knack for creating separation-even against top-tier defensive backs.
And then there’s the quarterback situation. Dante Moore has been heating up at just the right time.
Over the final three games of the regular season, Moore threw for nearly 850 yards and five touchdowns, showing improved poise and command of the offense. Pairing a red-hot Moore with a fully healthy Evan Stewart?
That’s the kind of combination that keeps defensive coordinators up at night.
Of course, the Ducks can’t look past James Madison. This is college football, after all-upsets happen when you least expect them. But if Oregon takes care of business this weekend, the potential return of Stewart adds another dimension to a team already trending in the right direction.
For now, all eyes will be on Stewart’s status and Oregon’s performance on Saturday. If both pieces fall into place, the Ducks could be getting a major boost at just the right time.