Kirk Ferentz hopes Cade McNamara returns ‘sometime next week’ after leg injury

IOWA CITY — Iowa quarterback Cade McNamara will “hopefully“ return ”sometime next week” after suffering an injury at the Aug. 12 open practice, head coach Kirk Ferentz told Big Ten Network on Friday.

“We’ll take it week-by-week, but he’ll be back,” Ferentz said Friday. “It’s not like he broke his leg.”

Ferentz said last week the injury did not involve his knee, but rather “up above.” McNamara appeared to have a compression sleeve on his right leg while being interviewed as part of BTN’s training camp series.

McNamara suffered the non-contact injury as he scrambled out of the pocket during the 11-on-11 portion of practice. He stumbled to the ground, walked gingerly and immediately took himself out of practice.

With Joe Labas also battling an injury, Wisconsin transfer Deacon Hill has taken first-team reps during McNamara’s absence. Hill has not thrown a pass in game action in two years with the Badgers.

Iowa’s season opener is Sept. 2 against Utah State.

Comments: john.steppe@thegazette.com