Evan Stewart, the Oregon Ducks’ leading returning receiver for the upcoming season, suffered what is believed to be a torn patellar tendon last week. As head coach Dan Lanning looks for an experienced pass-catcher to step up, Gary Bryant Jr. could help with production.
Insider Lauds Oregon WR Gary Bryant Jr. After News of Evan Stewart’s Injury
Stewart’s injury news was a tough pill to swallow in Eugene. The Ducks watched their two top receivers from last season’s Big Ten championship-winning squad, Tez Johnson and Traeshon Holden, head to the NFL.
Oregon will look for someone else to fill Stewart’s place after he posted 613 receiving yards and five touchdowns on 48 grabs a season ago.
“With Evan Stewart likely out for the season, I’m drawn back to this Gary Bryant Jr. soundbite from the spring,” On3 ScoopDuck contributor Ted Leroux wrote Friday on X. “With so much young, unproven talent in the room, Gary being the leader of the room with proven production out of the slot creates a standard to live up to.”
With Evan Stewart likely out for the season, I’m drawn back to this Gary Bryant Jr. soundbite from the spring.
With so much young, unproven talent in the room, Gary being the leader of the room with proven production out of the slot creates a standard to live up to. pic.twitter.com/lQbQsVzPYV
— Ted Leroux (@TedontheDucks) June 13, 2025
Leroux’s post included the comment of Bryant’s that stood out to him.
“I’m not really a big vocal guy myself, I’m really a ‘lead by example’ guy,” Bryant said. “So when I come out and work every day, I think the guys see that. So this [is] my third year here in the program, and as the years go on, you get more comfortable being able to speak to certain guys and stuff like that.
“And they see the way that I work every day, so they’re like, ‘Man, this guy, we can depend on this guy.’ So everything I say, they kinda listen to. … They know me. Like, if I say something, I’m not gonna ask you to do anything that I’m not willing to do.”
Bryant is part of a room that includes highly-touted five-star freshman Dakorien Moore, an early enrollee who impressed in spring practices. Malik Benson, a Florida State transfer, also figures to play a major role in reeling in passes from new starting signal-caller Dante Moore.
Bryant, a senior, dealt with an injury last season and played in the team’s final five games. He accounted for a meager two catches for 12 yards. The campaign before that, as a redshirt sophomore, he started 12 games and played in all 14. He registered 30 receptions for 442 yards and four touchdowns during that go-round.
Lanning will hope he returns to a similar form this time around.
