Iowa offensive lineman Tyler Elsbury ‘gets his shot’ in Nashville after Logan Jones’ injury

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — In the southeast corner of a high school field with yellowing, presumably dormant, grass in the outskirts of Nashville, Iowa’s Logan Jones did some snaps.

The ordinary-at-first sight for Iowa’s starting center had one major problem, however. Jones had to snap with his left hand because he has a cast on his right hand (and his normal snapping hand).

“I really feel bad for Logan,” fellow offensive lineman Mason Richman said.

While specific details of Jones’ injury are lacking at this point, he was not in shells (and did not do any 11-on-11 work) during the portion of Thursday’s practice that was open to media.

Jones’ misfortune could at least open the door, though, for reserve offensive lineman Tyler Elsbury to potentially make one last start as a Hawkeye in the 2024 Music City Bowl before his college football career comes to a close.

“The only bright side of this in my mind is Logan is coming back, and Els can’t,” Richman said. “That’s the only thing that is beautiful about that to me is that Els gets his shot.”

Elsbury is in his fifth season on Iowa’s offensive line and has seen some game action in all five seasons. That includes 14 games in 2021, 10 in 2022, 12 in 2023 and 12 games so far in 2024. Starting opportunities have been limited, though, to two games in 2022, one in 2023 and two in 2024.

“He’s probably one of the best backup centers in the country,” right tackle Gennings Dunker said. “He’s pretty good. Kind of sucks getting stuck behind LoJo, but he’s really talented.”

His most recent pair of starts came against Michigan State and Northwestern this year in place of the injured Beau Stephens while sharing reps with redshirt freshman Kade Pieper.

Elsbury, Richman said, has “been waiting for his moment.”

“I know he got in there a few games and had ups and downs, but I think he’s ready for this,” Richman said. “He’s been dying for this. I think, learning the news he’s learned in the last month, he’s just been ready to go at it with the group and help lead us out there as a center.”

Richman might be even more excited for Elsbury — “a great team guy to be around” — to presumably get this opportunity in Monday’s Music City Bowl.

“He’s a heck of an athlete, heck of a guy,” Richman said. “You can’t say a bad thing about him. I think guys are brought into him. … Two of our captains are (Luke) Lachey and (Jay) Higgins, and he’s always around those guys. And they’re always around him, too.”

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Speaking of injuries on the offensive line, Dunker missed the Nov. 23 game against Maryland and the Nov. 29 game against Nebraska with an injury that he suffered in practice.

“I was trying to set an edge on a block,” Dunker said. “Wasn’t very athletic, and I just kind of fell right on my knee.”

Dunker was a full participant in Thursday’s open portion of practice, however, and he confirmed afterward he is 100 percent healthy.

He also removed any outside doubt about his 2025 plans, reaffirming he plans to stay at Iowa for his senior season (rather than pursue an NFL career). Dunker, when asked about seeking NFL feedback, said you “hear certain things.”

“I’d rather play for Coach (George) Barnett,” Dunker said.

Dunker’s return — for the bowl game and for 2025 — and Elsbury’s apparent opportunity give the Hawkeyes at least some good news on the offensive line.

“But we’re all family, and we feel for Logan obviously,” Richman said.

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