Oregon · Big TenJeremiah McClellan's foot injury clouds Oregon's USC plans
The leading receiver missed Oregon's 84-0 win over Portland State and needs an evaluation before the Sept. 26 trip to No. 12 USC.
SEP 20, 2026
McClellan's production through Oregon's first two games
McClellan's 2025 production
Oregon and USC records entering the matchup
01 · The NewsMcClellan's Foot Injury Clouds Oregon's USC Plans
On Friday, Sept. 18, Oregon receiver Jeremiah McClellan injured his left foot during pregame warmups and missed the Ducks' 84-0 win over Portland State, leaving his status for the Sept. 26 visit to unbeaten No. 12 USC uncertain.
McClellan warmed up in full pads before appearing on the sideline in street clothes, wearing a boot on his left foot and using crutches. Dan Lanning said McClellan needed an evaluation.
“Got tweaked in pregame, have to get an evaluation to see what exactly that looks like. I don't know right at this moment,” Lanning said.
Oregon spread the work against Portland State. Evan Stewart had two catches for 61 yards in the first quarter, Dakorien Moore scored on a 45-yard reception, Kendre Harrison caught his first career touchdown and freshman Messiah Hampton made two catches for 23 yards. Freshman Gatlin Bair also took first-quarter snaps. Tight end Jamari Johnson missed his second straight game after sitting out the Sept. 12 loss at Oklahoma State.
Those options worked in a game Oregon led 28-0 after one quarter, but the Ducks have not identified a direct replacement for McClellan. The likely task at USC is to redistribute his targets and snaps among Stewart, Moore, Harrison, Hampton, Bair and the tight ends.
Oregon's first official injury report under the Big Ten's 2026 policy is scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 23. Lanning gave no diagnosis, further details or return timetable. Until that report, Oregon has its leading receiver's availability unresolved and no clear one-for-one replacement.
02 · The StakesWhy It Matters
McClellan has seven catches for 170 yards and a touchdown through Oregon's first two games. He had 38 catches for 557 yards and three touchdowns in 2025. With Oregon 2-1 and USC 4-0, his availability could reshape the Ducks' receiving rotation in an early Big Ten test. Josh Pate's preseason bracket placed Oregon No. 6 in the playoff field, putting added pressure on that projection if the Ducks lose their leading receiver for the matchup.
03 · The Watch ListWhat We're Watching
Who absorbs McClellan's work?
Check whether Evan Stewart, Dakorien Moore, Kendre Harrison, Messiah Hampton, Gatlin Bair and the tight ends take on the targets and snaps Oregon has not assigned to a direct replacement.
Does the receiving rotation hold up against USC?
The Portland State options produced in a game Oregon led 28-0 after one quarter; the USC matchup will show whether that distribution can replace McClellan's production.