Oregon RB Royce Freeman to return for senior season

Oregon running back Royce Freeman says he’ll return to the Ducks for his senior year.

Freeman, who was hampered by injuries this season, announced his decision through the school Wednesday. He was the Ducks’ leading rusher this season with 945 yards in 11 games.

Freeman has rushed for 4,146 yards over three seasons with the Ducks, second only to LaMichael James (5,082 yards) on Oregon’s career rushing list.

Freeman was widely considered a candidate for the Heisman Trophy going into the season, but he was injured three weeks into the season at Nebraska and missed Oregon’s game against Colorado the next week.

Oregon finished 4-8 overall and at the bottom of the Pac-12 North standings at 2-7 — snapping a run of nine straight winning seasons in conference play.