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Jackson Shelstad to seek medical redshirt after injury-plagued season
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- Jackson Shelstad to seek medical redshirt after injury-plagued season
The Oregon Ducks have struggled all throughout the 2025-26 season, as they currently hold a 10-17 overall and 3-13 Big Ten record before a matchup on Wednesday night against the Wisconsin Badgers . While there have been a myriad of reasons, much of it can be traced back to when standout point guard Jackson Shelstad broke his hand a month before the season was set to begin.
He missed the season-opener, with transfer guard Takai Simpkins saving the day with a last-second game-winning layup to defeat Hawai'i at home. He then returned for the next 12 games before being sidelined again with another hand injury in the team's final game of 2025 against Omaha.
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Head coach Dana Altman revealed that the injury included ligament damage, likely shutting Shelstad down for the rest of the season.
In 12 games, Shelstad, coming off a third-team All-Big Ten campaign as a sophomore, averaged 15.6 points, 4.9 assists and 1.4 steals per game on 39.1% from the field. The Ducks went 6-6 in those games.
Now, with the regular season winding down and Shelstad still sidelined, Altman detailed the plan for Shelstad moving forward, saying that the junior point guard will apply for a medical redshirt.
Shelstad's case for a medical redshirt applies for two of three guidelines, according to the NCAA. The injury occurred during the first half of the season and was deemed season-ending, but he competed in more than 30% (12 of 31) of the Ducks' games, the set threshold for a guaranteed medical redshirt.
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Though Altman recognizes that guidelines, he's still set to push for Shelstad to receive a medical redshirt.
"He's a couple games over, but definitely we'll try to get him another year," Altman said.
The importance of Shelstad returning for two more seasons at Oregon can't be understated, as he's provided stability at the point guard position during his first two seasons with the Ducks. He was expected to have a big year in 2025-26, only for it to be derailed with a fluke hand injury — twice.
Oregon forward Dezdrick Lindsay will also apply and presumably receive a medical redshirt, as he missed the entire 2024-25 season with a shoulder injury.
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This article originally appeared on Ducks Wire: Jackson Shelstad to seek medical redshirt after injury-plagued season
