The Hawkeye Football season is less than a week from kickoff and there are some significant personnel updates across the roster. Here’s a quick rundown of the current Iowa football injury and personnel updates.
Quarterback Update
Quarterback Cade McNamara injured his right leg in the Kid’s Day open practice on August 12th. It was a non-contact injury that occurred on a quarterback run play up the middle. McNamara appeared to cut on his right leg when it gave out and he stumbled awkwardly to the ground. After hopping up and taking himself out of the scrimmage under his own power, he returned to the sideline after a locker room evaluation. McNamara had no ice or brace on the leg, but was clearly done for the day. He was seen walking around and in good spirits through the remainder of practice. Kirk Ferentz described the injury as a “muscle thing” that was not involved with the knee. A knee that was surgically repaired last year.
Since then, McNamara has not been practicing with the team. However, Ferentz is optimistic that he’ll be ready to take some reps with the team by the Monday of opening week. As of now, McNamara is considered questionable for the team’s opener against Utah State inside Kinnick Stadium.
Joe Labas has also been dealing with an injury during Fall camp. He suffered what was described as a soft tissue injury during camp and has missed considerable time. Labas’ injury left Wisconsin transfer Deacon Hill to take reps with the one’s. True freshman Marco Lainez was taking reps with the two’s. Ferentz commented on Labas’ recovery saying that he is also confident he’ll be back by the end of the week, August 25th.
Noah Shannon Update
One of the leaders on Iowa’s strong defensive line is Noah Shannon. He has been suspended for the entire 2023 season due to the NCAA investigation into gambling. The investigation is plaguing the Iowa and Iowa State football teams, while there’s almost no mention of it being investigated elsewhere. Ferentz commented strongly on this saying, “I guess we were the chosen ones.” He backed Shannon by saying he has done nothing of a criminal act and that he hopes the university’s appeal process will make people reconsider the harshness of the punishment. Shannon placed bets on an Iowa sports team that was not the football team.
As the appeal process moves forward, Shannon is not eligible to play. This means that Yahya Black and Aaron Graves will have a bigger role on the defensive line this season until the appeal is sorted out. The two are more than ready for the role up front.
Other Iowa Injury Updates
Iowa’s star player Cooper DeJean did not suit up for the Kid’s Day open practice on August 12th. He has been back practicing with the team since then. At wide receiver, veteran Nico Ragaini was injured for the open practice. He has been dinged up for some time during camp. Ferentz commented that Ragaini is close to recovering and will get some work on the Friday or Saturday prior to opening weekend. Diante Vines has also been in and out during Fall camp with minor injuries, but is expected to be ready. Saginaw Valley State transfer offensive lineman Daijon Parker was among those not suited up for the open practice. He is “fine” from an injury standpoint according to Ferentz.
Ahead of kickoff against Utah State on September 2nd, Ferentz has said, “Everybody realistically has a chance to start working in.” He is optimistic about that being the case as the team starts to prep for their first opponent of the 2023 season.
