Kirk Ferentz ‘not alarmed’ by Cade McNamara’s injury in open practice

IOWA CITY — Iowa starting quarterback Cade McNamara suffered an injury in Saturday’s open practice, but head coach Kirk Ferentz is “not alarmed.”

Ferentz described the injury as a “muscle issue.” The injury did not involve his knee “as far as I know,” but rather “up above.”

“It’s tissue,” Ferentz said. “It’s not structural or something like that.”

Ferentz expects to “know more next week” about McNamara’s recovery timeline.

The injury occurred as McNamara scrambled his way out of a collapsing pocket during an 11-on-11 drill of Iowa’s Kids’ Day open practice.

After falling to the ground, McNamara walked gingerly and took himself out of practice. He went to the locker room before later returning to the sidelines not in full uniform.

McNamara already was limited in the spring as he recovered from his 2022 knee surgery.

“It’s unfortunate,” Ferentz said. “Obviously, he needs work, like everybody out here needs work, but hopefully nothing too serious.”

Comments: john.steppe@thegazette.com