Iowa football injury report: Kirk Ferentz is ‘really optimistic’ about Cade McNamara's recovery

IOWA CITY — Kirk Ferentz is “really optimistic” about quarterback Cade McNamara’s injury status, he said Wednesday, but will “know more at the end of the week.”

McNamara’s recovery “looks like it’s on schedule,” Ferentz said.

“They’ve got a procedure for it,” Ferentz said. “Hopefully, at the end of the week he can start doing some things.”

McNamara suffered the non-contact injury during Iowa’s Aug. 12 Kids’ Day open practice. He stumbled while scrambling and walked gingerly after the play. He immediately subbed himself out of practice.

Ferentz previously said it was a muscle injury not involving his knee, but rather “up above.” That is significant because McNamara had season-ending knee surgery last year, which also limited his spring practice availability largely to 7-on-7 drills.

“Cade needs work with our team right now because he basically was out last fall, so there’s that timing part,” Ferentz said. “And not to be anti-7-on-7, but I do hate 7-on-7. … Guys can’t take a snap under center. And it’s not real football because, in real football, guys are rushing you.”

If McNamara has any setbacks, Joe Labas and Deacon Hill are the Hawkeyes’ other options at quarterback. Labas, however, also has missed time during fall camp with a soft tissue injury.

Ferentz expects Labas “will be back here at the end of the week, too.”

In the meantime, Hill and true freshman Marco Lainez have been taking first and second-team reps in practice, respectively.

Other injuries

Star defensive back Cooper DeJean, who missed Iowa’s Kids’ Day open practice, has been back practicing, Ferentz said. Wide receiver Nico Ragaini, meanwhile, is “close” to recovered and could “get some work” Friday or Saturday.

Offensive lineman Daijon Parker, who also was not in uniform for Kids’ Day, was among the players Ferentz said were “fine” from a medical standpoint.

“Everybody realistically has a chance to start working in end of this week, certainly next Monday when we hit the field thinking about our opponents,” Ferentz said. “Hopefully, that’s the case.”

The exception is defensive lineman Jeff Bowie, who is “going to miss significant time” with an injury. Bowie, a third-year player from West Branch, has not seen game action in his Iowa career yet.

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