The 2026 season for Rutgers wide receiver KJ Duff, a dude projected as a potential first-round pick in the 2027 NFL Draft, is officially over. Reports are flying that he’s out for the remaining three games of the season after getting surgery for a high-ankle sprain. This is a massive blow, especially since he hasn’t even played since that brief appearance in their October 31 home loss to Michigan.
Scarlet Knights’ Lone Bright Spot Gone
Talk about a gut punch. Duff has been the ONLY bright spot in what’s been a truly dismal 2-7 season for the Scarlet Knights. The guy was just electric. In eight games, he hauled in 45 catches for 774 yards and nine touchdowns. Think about that production on a struggling squad! He was averaging at least 17 yards a catch for two seasons straight, consistently making plays when nobody else could. His Week 1 performance against UMass was insane, snagging nine catches for 196 yards and three scores. He had three other games with over 100 yards, including a nine-catch explosion in Rutgers’ only Big Ten win of the season, and a 113-yard, two-score day in that 37-30 win at Maryland. Losing that kind of firepower, that kind of hope, for the rest of the year? Brutal.
What’s Left for Rutgers?
So, what now for Rutgers? They’re already 2-7 and just lost their best player for the final stretch. The team still has Nebraska, Penn State, and Michigan State on the schedule. Coach Greg Schiano, in his second stint there, is confirmed to return next season, with Athletic Director Keli Zinn saying it’s in the “best long-term interests” of the school. But let’s be real, his best seasons since coming back in 2020 were back-to-back 7-6 campaigns in 2023 and 2024. This year has been a step back, and losing a potential first-rounder like Duff makes the climb even steeper. Good luck, Rutgers. They’re gonna need it.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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