Justin Britt, Jackson Ritter out for 2022 Iowa football season with injuries

Losses come at positions where Hawkeyes already are thin

Jul. 26, 2022 1:31 pm, Updated: Jul. 26, 2022 2:23 pm

Iowa wide receiver Jackson Ritter (29) catches a pass in warmups on Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021, at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wis. (Geoff Stellfox/The Gazette)

INDIANAPOLIS — Iowa offensive lineman Justin Britt and wide receiver Jackson Ritter will not play in 2022 after suffering season-ending injuries, football coach Kirk Ferentz told reporters Tuesday.

“There's absolutely no way they'll play this fall,” Ferentz said to Iowa reporters at Big Ten Media Days after his televised news conference.

Britt’s absence is a result of “complications” with his previous knee injury, Ferentz said.

“There have been some recurring issues there,” Ferentz said. “You just feel bad for him. It’s a tough break.”

While the offensive line is certainly young, the loss is especially noticeable at an inexperienced wide receiver position.

Iowa only has three wideouts who have caught a pass in a Hawkeye uniform — Keagan Johnson, Arland Bruce IV and Nico Ragaini.

The injury contributed to walk-on Alec Wick earning a spot on the second team in Tuesday’s depth chart.

“(Wick) shows up every day, works hard and he just kind of has a knack of doing some good things,” Ferentz said. “We had a lot of guys out this spring, so he took advantage of those reps and that opportunity.”

The Hawkeyes have plenty of depth at tight end with the trio of Sam LaPorta, Luke Lachey and graduate transfer Steven Stilianos, so that leaves Iowa with some flexibility with what personnel to use.