As Rutgers football's KJ Duff battles injury, this young WR is stepping up

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As Rutgers football's KJ Duff battles injury, this young WR is stepping up

Chris Iseman, Asbury Park Press · App.com | Asbury Park Press

Wed, November 4, 2026 at 9:04 AM UTC ·

3 min read

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PISCATAWAY – It's a major question hovering over Rutgers football's offense and it's unclear when an answer will come.

Will star wide receiver KJ Duff play in the Scarlet Knights' upcoming game against Wisconsin in Week 10 ?

Coach Greg Schiano said following his team's practice on Tuesday, Nov. 3 that he will leave Duff's status to the Big Ten availability report, the first of which comes out Wednesday, so for the second-straight week it's possible Duff is a game-time decision.

Duff played against Michigan but suffered a lower-body injury that forced him to leave the game.

If Duff isn't able to play against the Badgers (4:15 ET, BTN), the Scarlet Knights are going to need other receivers to step up.

Massachusetts Minutemen at Rutgers Scarlet Knights football in Piscataway, New Jersey on Thursday, September 3, 2026. Rutgers #4 Jourdin Houston.

One of those wideouts is Jourdin Houston, who's held a big role this season and is second on the team in receiving yards with 264 on 18 catches with one touchdown.

That touchdown came Oct. 31 against the Wolverines, an 80-yard catch that was one of just three completions Rutgers had on the day.

Sep 19, 2026; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights wide receiver KJ Duff (8) makes a catchas USC Trojans cornerback Chasen Johnson (27) defends during the first half at SHI Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
(Vincent Carchietta, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Sep 19, 2026; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; USC Trojans running back Deshonne Redeaux (6) breaks a tackle by Rutgers Scarlet Knights defensive back Kevyn Humes (4) during the first half at SHI Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
(Vincent Carchietta, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Sep 19, 2026; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights defensive back Jesse Ofurie (16) catches the ball a pass on a fake punt during the first half against the USC Trojans at SHI Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
(Vincent Carchietta, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Sep 19, 2026; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights defensive lineman Farell Gnago (90) celebrates after a stop with defensive back Kevyn Humes (4) during the first half at SHI Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
(Vincent Carchietta, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Sep 19, 2026; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights head coach Greg Schiano reacts after a Scarlet Knights touchdown during the first half against the USC Trojans at SHI Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
(Vincent Carchietta, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Sep 19, 2026; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; USC Trojans wide receiver Corey Simms (10) scores on a touchdown reception during the first half against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at SHI Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
(Vincent Carchietta, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Sep 19, 2026; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights cheer members perform during the first half of the game between the Scarlet Knights and the USC Trojans at SHI Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
(Vincent Carchietta, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Sep 19, 2026; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights wide receiver Elias Coke (13) celebrates his touchdown reception during the first half against the USC Trojans at SHI Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
(Vincent Carchietta, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Sep 19, 2026; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights head coach Greg Schiano, left, with teammates USC Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley before the game at SHI Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
(Vincent Carchietta, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Sep 19, 2026; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; USC Trojans running back Waymond Jordan (2) carries the ball against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights during the first half at SHI Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
(Vincent Carchietta, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Sep 19, 2026; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; USC Trojans quarterback Jayden Maiava (14) drops back to pass during the first half against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at SHI Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
(Vincent Carchietta, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Sep 19, 2026; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights quarterback Dylan Lonergan (12) throws the ball during the first half against the USC Trojans at SHI Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
(Vincent Carchietta, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Sep 19, 2026; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights quarterback Xavier Stearn (17) warms up before the game against the USC Trojans at SHI Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
(Vincent Carchietta, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Brian Leonard, captain of Rutgers' 2006 football team, waves to fans at SHI Stadium during a reunion of that beloved squad
(Ben Solomon / Rutgers Athletics)

Hundreds gathered for the pre-game festivities before the Rutgers University vs. USC game on Sept. 19 in Piscataway.
(Alexander Lewis/MyCentralJersey., USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)

The 6-foot-1, 200-pound Houston, who played in just two games last season as a true freshman, is earning the trust of his coaches.

But there's still room for growth.

"He's getting better. He's got to come up with some of the plays that are available plays, makable plays. He's made a lot of plays. You think about where he is in his career, he's had some injuries – put him in comparison with some other great receivers we've had here at this stage in their career, games played, I think he's right on target. Now we just have to keep accelerating the development and (wide receivers) Coach (Dave) Brock will do that 100 percent."

Houston, a Bronx native who played at St. Thomas More in Connecticut, has started seven of Rutgers' eight games this season.

It's been a constant learning experience for a player in just his second season.

"It's been a lot of learning points, a lot of learning lessons, just getting better every time," Houston said. "Getting more comfortable, learning the Big Ten, learning different opponents. It's been a great experience."

Learning from and watching Duff, who's likely going to be a high pick in the NFL Draft, has also gone a long way.

Duff is one of the best receivers in the country and Houston has studied the way he goes about his job.

"Coach Schiano says learn from others and make it your own," Houston said. "Having him as a leader in the room and learning from him, I can take it as my own and make it better for me."

How does he do that?

"Just coming in early and getting your body ready," Houston said. "Your body's like a car, you have to prepare your body right. And just studying more, understanding the defense more and understanding your opponent more."

Houston is on a solid trajectory, and that's good news for a Rutgers offense that could need him even more if Duff isn't able to play.

The Scarlet Knights have several young wideouts who fit that category, including Dyzier Carter, Vernon Allen III and Elias Coke.

"Those young wideouts are a very talented group," Schiano said. "But certainly we're missing the lead dog and that's tough. But it's an opportunity for them to step up. And we'll see."

This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: As Rutgers football's KJ Duff battles injury, this young WR is stepping up

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As Rutgers football's KJ Duff battles injury, this young WR is stepping up

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