The Quickest Slant -- Nielsen surgery

Linebacker Tyler Nielsen couldn't hide his bandaged left hand after the Northwestern game, but he laughed it off like it was a hangnail.

"It's fine, it's fine," he said. "I'm fine."

He had surgery on the hand Sunday morning. No word on the extent or the senior's status for this week's game against Indiana.

Nielsen injured his hand in second quarter and came out for a play or two, but returned and played the rest of the game. Nielsen made his first career start at middle linebacker, replacing sophomore James Morris, who missed the game with an ankle injury.

Nielsen suffered a foot injury against Iowa State and was in and out of the lineup through a lot of the non-conference season. Last season, Nielsen missed the final five games after suffering a broken vertebrae in his neck.

“At least the foot thing is getting better,” Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz said after the game. “Bumps and bruises come and go. I don't think he's planning on missing anything, I know that, the rest of the way."

Iowa played four linebacker Saturday night, with junior Tom Donatell replacing Nielsen on the outside and true freshman Quinton Alston playing some middle linebacker.

If Morris is healthy enough this week -- Ferentz said he improved last week, but they didn't want to have a setback against Northwestern that would cost another week or two -- Iowa could play all five linebackers, which is pretty much the final five. Sophomore Anthony Hitchens missed last week. He went through warmups with an offensive lineman knee brace on his right knee.

This is where the departure of senior Bruce Davis, who left the team after the Pitt game, starts to show up. He would be playing.

Summary of Ferentz's Big Ten teleconference

Thoughts on Indiana -- Couple things, had a tough time the last two years with them. We're going to try to matchup. They present problems. We have stuff on our plate getting ready ourselves.

On PSU DT Devon Still -- Great season, great career. Big, imposing guy. Showed up during the game and on film. Great size, very active.

Coker improvements -- I think very simply he ran more decisively. It's almost like he's been thinking too much. Saturday was the most decisive he's been in making a cut and going with it. Missed some time in camp. More aggressive, too.

Big Ten attitude comes to recruiting defensive players -- Not sure I'm following you. -- Still physical league -- It's really tough to be successful in any sport if you don't play good defense. If we play good defense, we at least have a chance to be competitive. It's a challenge. There's a lot of variance in terms of preparation. Your personnel and your scheme better be flexible. Tough gauntlet in our league because of the variance.

On McNutt -- He joined elite company on Saturday, Tim Dwight and Danan Hughes. Both were phenomenal players. Marvin was a good baseball player. Elite company and credit to Marvin. He transferred to that position and has been learning on the fly.

On Tyler Nielsen's adventure at LB last Saturday night -- He handled it really well. No choices. Jeff Tarpinian played all three for us in his career. He might be the best linebacker we never had. Lots of bad luck with injuries and is now on the New England Patriots active roster. Nielsen has already graduated with a business degree. Another great senior leader for us.

Do my best on updating from the basement of the Fry Complex beginning at 12:30. I will also update this post with news/notes when I return from interviews.

Morris, Nardo and Hitchens all have a chance to play this week.

Canzeri also has a chance. He has a hamstring injury.

Lots of Marvin stuff today. Makes sense. Has a chance at TD reception this week.

On TEs -- Thought they played at a higher level, KF. On CJF -- He's making progress, great game Saturday. Jumped in on kick off and made an impact.

Brad Rogers improved. Could see more fullback. Nice job as a lead blocker. Nice combo with ball skills.

A.J. Derby back this week. See about No. 2 QB. Praised for scout team performance last week.

Coker is a strong runner. He has to make that an advantage.

McCall and MacMillan could come back and might not. KF said they haven't had the medical waiver discussion with McCall.

D. Johnson is doing better. Canzeri was the No. 2.

Tidbits from the players:

B.J. Lowery's name is Boots Junior. His dad is Boots.

James Vandenberg is going bear hunting in Alberta at some point. I wonder if it's a barrel shoot or tracking a bear. The barrel thing just isn't fair.

James Morris wants to play this week. He also wore a Seattle Seahawks jacket he's had since 7th grade. Not a fan, just a jacket.

I thought Marvin had the biggest hands on the team. Nope. Keenan Davis' hands are bigger. And yes, they've argued the point.

Marcus Coker is working on being more decisive. I think he's up to nine career starts now. I don't think we know or he knows what kind of running back he'll be. He's big and strong and that's definitely a part of what he is.