James Butler confident, comfortable in return to Iowa backfield

IOWA CITY — When James Butler went down with a dislocated right elbow against North Texas, there was more than a little potential he'd be shut down for the year. A medical redshirt was essentially a cinch, given he'd only played in three games before the injury.

But five weeks later, there was Butler, trotting back onto the field with a Rob Gronkowski-like brace on his right arm, taking handoffs.

Butler said after the game it was only decided on Friday whether or not he'd play again this week or this year. He had multiple conversations with head coach Kirk Ferentz this week, and said his coach told him to sleep on his decision Thursday night.

He didn't really hesitate.

'Ultimately it came down to being a team guy and just being fully able to play,' Butler said. 'I couldn't feel myself watching five contests knowing I could be out there with this team helping them win in any way possible and choosing not to.'

Butler ran 11 times for 28 yards and caught one pass for 19 yards — which he then fumbled — in his return.

The Nevada transfer said the brace had nothing to do with the fumble, though. He was carrying the ball in his left hand, he said, and 'I just should've known when to admit defeat. I thought they blew the play dead, but it's obviously not dead. That's on me.' He even gave a laugh after that and said 'I was really nervous I wasn't going to go back in the game, to be honest.'

But return he did, to finish the game splitting carries with Akrum Wadley, who ran 16 times for 70 yards and a 12-yard touchdown run.

Having Butler back came with a speech from the senior, who said he wanted to address the team and felt like 'I had to let those guys know I love being here, I want to help this team win, I love the seniors and love this team.'

His leadership was what Ferentz highlighted when asked about Butler's return, saying 'we're lacking that up front.'

Ferentz said there was skepticism among the coaching staff, only because of the brace and their lack of dealing with that on a skill position player in the past. But the staff left it up to the player, and he made the call.

'It was in his hands all the way,' Ferentz said. 'You're looking at five games remaining in your career that are guaranteed, so you want to take that. … I think he wanted to get back and help our football team. He knew we needed some more help. He was really excited about that opportunity.

'He looked good in practice this week, got his legs back underneath him a little bit. He's a first class guy, high-energy guy, mentally tough guy.'

Butler recalled laying on the field as the athletic trainers put his elbow back in its socket, saying 'I was more mad than hurt, to be honest,' lamenting his first career injury coming in his senior season.

The recovery was dealing with a lot of swelling — 'I kind of had a thigh for an arm,' he said — and waiting for the bone to heal so he could absorb contact again. Playing that waiting game was the hardest part, he said. Wondering if he'd be able to take the same hits, be as mobile and do the same things he always had.

Once he got into practice this week, those questions were answered. He got conditioned with it on, confirmed it didn't hinder him and got hit with it on.

After Saturday night, Butler is good go and ready to finish his senior season — perhaps using the brace to his advantage.

'I didn't feel any pain toward it,' Butler said. 'I got hit in it a couple times, a couple guys tried to come after it with that brace on when I was holding it in the right, but it takes all the hits. It delivers hits, to be honest. … I can use it as a weapon. It kind of hurts (to hit).'

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