Iowa wide receiver Diante Vines ‘very unlikely’ to play vs. Illinois

IOWA CITY — Iowa wide receiver Diante Vines is “very unlikely” to be ready to play Saturday against Illinois, head coach Kirk Ferentz said in his Tuesday news conference.

Ferentz also does not envision offensive lineman Beau Stephens “making it” against the Illini.

Otherwise, Ferentz said “everybody’s got a chance” to play. Tight end Steven Stilianos has returned to practice and “should be healthy” on Saturday.

The Illinois game is slated to be Vines’ second missed game after exiting the Nov. 4 game against Northwestern with an injury. Stephens has not played since the Northwestern game as well — when he was carted off the field.

With Vines out, Ohio State transfer Kaleb Brown has moved into a first-team role on the Hawkeyes’ depth chart. Meanwhile on the offensive line, true freshman Kade Pieper has occupied Stephens’ second-team spot on the depth chart at guard.

Comments: john.steppe@thegazette.com