Iowa running backs Kaleb Johnson, Jaziun Patterson to miss ‘another week at least’

IOWA CITY — Iowa running backs Kaleb Johnson and Jaziun Patterson are expected to miss “another week at least” with lower-body injuries, Coach Kirk Ferentz said Tuesday.

Whether that means Johnson and Patterson, two of Iowa’s top three running backs, could return for the Oct. 7 game against Purdue or Oct. 14 game against Wisconsin remains unclear.

“We’ll take it week-to-week, as I said a couple of weeks ago,” Ferentz said. “If they were out for the season, I’d let you know that, but that’s not the case. So hopefully sooner than later.”

Quarterback Cade McNamara “hit my hand on a helmet pretty good” in the 31-0 loss to Penn State, but it was “extremely minor.” He continued to play in the second half before Deacon Hill replaced him in the fourth quarter with the game well out of reach.

“It’s not really hurt,” McNamara said Tuesday. “It didn’t affect my throwing or anything.”

Iowa also is without tight end Luke Lachey, who suffered a lower-body injury against Western Michigan that is “most likely” season-ending. Lachey was the team’s top receiver before the injury.

Aside from Lachey, Johnson and Patterson’s known absences, Ferentz is optimistic about the team’s injury situation ahead of its Week 5 game against Michigan State at Kinnick Stadium.

“We have a couple guys that are a little bit limited right now, but hopefully Saturday we’ll be at full strength other than the people you’ve mentioned,” Ferentz said.

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