Kirk Ferentz sheds light on Iowa football injuries post-bye week

IOWA CITY — Iowa football finally has some clarity on its injury status post-bye week.

Head coach Kirk Ferentz shared the Hawkeyes could have quarterback Mark Gronowski available against Wisconsin on Saturday. He said Gronowski’s injury looked worse initially, but he’s been able to practice.

“So far so good,” Ferentz said Tuesday. “It's been encouraging. Certainly he's getting some good work in. A week ago, wasn't so optimistic, but we'll just take it as it goes this week.”

Ferentz clarified that Gronowski is medically cleared to play, it’s more about getting the starting quarterback comfortable and confident in-game.

“That’s going to be the number one conversation of the week,” Ferentz said. “Looked like he’s fine today, but who knows? He could be sore tomorrow or something.”

Gronowski left in the second of half Iowa’s game against Indiana after falling awkwardly during a quarterback keeper. He never left the sideline, but didn’t return to the game after athletic trainers escorted him off the field and to the medical tent.

Gronowski has thrown for 636 yards and collected 150 rushing yards. He has three passing touchdowns, seven rushing touchdowns and as thrown two interceptions.

He was listed atop Iowa’s depth chart as the starting quarterback against the Badgers, with Hank Brown and Jeremy Hecklinski splitting that second-string spot. Ferentz said all three quarterbacks have been practicing ahead of this week.

Ferentz said any one of that trio quarterbacks could start against Wisconsin, and the coaching staff likely won’t make a decision until Friday.

“It's a pretty open competition,” Ferentz said. “It gave us a chance for all the guys to compete.”

Iowa didn’t make any quarterbacks available during the players’ weekly media availability.

Other injury notes

Ferentz also said TJ Washington Jr. and Jaziun Patterson won’t be available against Wisconsin. Patterson missed the Hawkeyes’ game against Indiana, but this is the first time Washington Jr. will miss a game this season.

Iowa has started four running backs in its first five games this season. Washington Jr. was the only player with multiple starts at running back this year.

Running back Xavier Williams, however, is expected to return after missing the last two games. He’s rushed for 189 yards and one touchdown this season, averaging 7.2 yards per play.

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Williams has been out with an upper body injury, and was deemed “week-to-week” by Ferentz. He made his regular season Hawkeye debut against Albany and had his first career start against UMass on Sept. 13.

This also means that Iowa will burn true freshman Nathan McNeil’s redshirt year. He’s listed third on the team’s depth chart, behind Kamari Moulton and Williams.

Ferentz did say wide receiver Reece Vander Zee could play this week. The sophomore hasn’t played this season, after a late preseason injury sidelined Vander Zee. He wasn’t listed on the depth chart against the Badgers, but Ferentz had indicated that Vander Zee could return post-bye week throughout the last few weeks.

The head coach added Vander Zee’s injury required “flat-out rest,” but that he’s been able to start picking up reps in practice this week.

“You gotta be patient there,” Ferentz said. “Last week, he was able to do running on ground and worked with the strength staff, that type of thing. Nothing football wise, really, and then this week, he started work back a little bit.”

Defensively, Ferentz said Jaden Harrell is the only key player who won’t play against Wisconsin. Harrell left the game against Indiana early, and wasn’t listed on the depth chart this week. The Hawkeyes have Jayden Montgomery at Harrell’s linebacker position, with Jax Rexroth sliding in as a second-team option for both Mike and Will LB spots.

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