Iowa quarterback Cade McNamara continues to work through ‘manageable injury’

IOWA CITY — Iowa quarterback Cade McNamara does not think he is “at 100 percent” yet as he continues to recover from a quad injury from last month, he told reporters Tuesday.

McNamara, who was wearing a sleeve on his right leg, said it is a “manageable injury.”

“Some games are going to feel better than others, and I’m just doing everything I can to just get as healthy as I possibly can for Saturday.”

Iowa Coach Kirk Ferentz said the plan is to “try to be smart about it” as McNamara continues to play in games. Quarterback sneaks, for example, are “really not on the menu right now.”

“We’re going to be managing it all season long, I’m guessing,” Ferentz said. “Or at least until it heals.”

As Iowa and McNamara adjust to what he can physically do, whether he is in shotgun or under center does not seem to make a difference with his injury.

“Some of that stuff doesn’t really affect me, honestly,” McNamara said. “I just run the play that Brian (Ferentz) tells me.”

McNamara was 17-for-30 with two touchdown passes in Iowa’s 24-14 win over Utah State — his first game as a Hawkeye — before backup Deacon Hill entered the fourth quarter with a three-possession lead. He did not indicate any setbacks to his quad from playing in the game.

“It definitely felt a little more sore after a game, but so did the rest of my body,” McNamara said. “That’s just like any game.”

Comments: john.steppe@thegazette.com