Here is an update after the most recent news reports and after Tuesday October 15's Kirk Ferentz Press Conference.
If I am missing anyone, let me know.
During a Game Week:
Wed: Iowa wraps up preparations
Thur: No practice
Fri: Light practice (when Sargent was injured)
Here is a Timeline for when 14 dinged up/injured Hawkeyes are hopefully back on the field.
Should be Good To Go Saturday, October 19 vs. Purdue:
LB Kristian Welch -- On Oct 15, KF said that he expected Kristian to play on Oct 19 vs Purdue. He left the Oct 12 Penn State game in the third quarter with an unknown injury. Before he left, Welch was leading the team with 8 tackles, which comes as no surprise as he is the leading tackler for the Hawkeyes. Iowa redshirt freshman linebacker
Dillon Doyle filled in at middle linebacker in place of Welch.
DB Riley Moss (knee injury)--
Riley returned to action against Penn State on Oct 12. During practice the week of Oct 13, when Iowa has been practicing the 4-2-5, Riley has been coming in at CB (as Ojemudia moves inside). On Sep 3 was reported that he was out 4-6 weeks with leg injury.
DT Brady Reiff (knee injury) --
Brady returned to action against Penn State on Oct 12 (he had 6 tackles). On Oct 8 Ferentz says Reiff should be ready to play in the Oct 12 Penn State game. Brady has missed Iowa's last three games because of injury. Was in uniform for the Oct 5 Michigan game. On Oct 2 Jay Niemann said that Brady was on a very positive track in terms of his recovery. Brady was out on the field this week (Sep 29-Oct 2) doing "some stuff" (not practicing, though), so the coaches like where he is at. On Oct 1 Marc Morehouse reported that the Senior Defensive Tackle hadn’t practiced this week and likely is out for the Oct 5 Michigan game. He reported that probably means
a three-man rotation with senior Cedrick Lattimore, junior Austin Schulte and sophomore Daviyon Nixon. On Sep 14 Reiff did not get off team bus vs Clown U; Daviyon Nixon started in his place. On Sep 24 KF said that he didn't think any of the guys who missed the last game on Sep 14 would be back for the Sep 28 game and he was right. KF clarified that Reiff was definitely out for the Sep 28 game (despite being listed on the depth chart in error)
OL Alaric Jackson (sprained knee); He was injured in the season opener & hadn't played until the Oct 5 Michigan game, where he started.
On Oct 1 KF said the plan is to start Jackson on Sat Oct 5 vs Michigan as long as he keeps making progress this week. He practiced on Oct 1 and was looking good to play in the Oct 5 Michigan game. He was on the Depth Chart prior to the Oct 5 Michigan game, listed as a back up.
On Sun Sep 29 KF said that barring any setbacks this week, he should return to game action Polasek said AJ had an "outside chance" at playing on Sep 28 vs Middle Tennessee, but he DID NOT. Instead, he was out for the third straight game.
He was, however, in uniform and went through warm-ups with the team, and is a good bet to return for the Oct 5 Michigan game. He was still dealing with a bone bruise during the Sep 21 bye week. On Sep 24 KF said that he didn't think any of the guys who missed the last game on Sep 14 would be back for the Sep 28 game and he was right.
FS Sophomore Kaevon Merriweather-- (right foot sprain) Jack Koerner remained the starter at FS for the Oct 5 Michigan game but Merriweather was expected to play. Kaevon will NOT need surgery. Kaevon was a starter in the season opener.
Jack Koerner now has three career starts compared to Merriweather’s one. On Oct 1 KF said that Kaevon practiced today and was looking good to play in the Oct 5 Michigan game. On the Depth Chart prior to the Oct 5 Michigan game, was listed as a back up.
On Sun Sep 29 KF said that barring any setbacks this week, he should return to game action. He did not play vs the the Clowns.
Jack Koerner got his second straight start as a result. Per Phil Parker, it will be difficult for Merriweather to beat out & get his job back from Koerner. He practiced during the Sep 21 bye week. On Sep 24 KF said that he didn't think any of the guys who missed the last game on Sep 14 would be back for the Sep 28 game and he was right.
DB Julius Brents (right knee injury) -- REMINDER: Brents hadn’t played in a game since Purdue on Nov. 3 last season. For the Oct 5 Michigan game he was participating in warm ups with a brace around his right knee.
On Oct 1 KF said that he practiced today and was looking good to play in the Oct 5 Michigan game. He will help out on SPECIAL TEAMS & MAYBE IN SUB PACKAGES. This would be his FIRST GAME ACTION OF 2019. DJ Johnson & Ojemudia will continue to start at cornerback On Sep 3 was reported he'd be out a couple of weeks. On Sep 24 KF said that he didn't think any of the guys who missed the last game on Sep 14 would be back for the Sep 28 game and he was right.
OL Tristan Wirfs (knee)
DB Geno Stone (knee, shoulder); heading into the Sep 28 game, Stone said his body feels like it's week 1 again. In the Sep 28 Middle Tennessee game, there was concern he hurt his shoulder but he should be fine.
WR Brandon Smith (shoulder/collarbone); he got dinged up in the Sep 14 Iowa State game but based on his play on Sep 28 vs Middle Tennessee, he is fine.
RB Mekhi Sargent (right hand injury suffered in Fri Sep 13 practice); he is left hand dominant, which helps some; on Sep 24, Sargent said the wrist feels “normal” now.
DB Matt Hankins (hamstring) -- Hankins left the Sep 7 Rutgers game in the fourth quarter.
Hankins returned to action against Penn State on Oct 12 (he had 7 tackles). On Oct 8 KF said that Hankins practiced on Oct 7 and has a chance to be available for the Oct 12 Penn State game (12-game starter at corner would be a huge addition). Matt has missed Iowa's last three games because of injury. Also on Oct 8 KF said that
"With Matt, it's how much work can he do, if he is able to go; that type of thing. You worry about volume with the kind of injury he had....We'll play it by ear and see what he can do. He's a veteran player that we have confidence. The good news is D.J. (Johnson) has done a good job back there." On Oct 1 Marc Morehouse reported that Hankins hadn’t practiced this week and is likely out for the Oct 5 Michigan game. Was held out of the Sep 28 Middle Tennessee game as well. On Sep 14, Matt did not get off the bus vs Clown U;
DJ Johnson started in his place. On Sep 10, Leistikow reported that Kirk Ferentz's answer on Matt Hankins' status for the Cy-Hawk game was mostly cloudy. Then on Wed Sep 11, Ferentz, on his radio show, said that Iowa would play it by ear whether the
junior starting cornerback would play at Iowa State. For the Sep 14 Clown game, Matt did not get off the team bus. HOWEVER, on Sep 14 Marc Morehouse reported this:
Whomever plays for Hankins (vs Clown U) probably gets Sept. 28 game vs. MTSU. NOTE: DJ Johnson was in for Hankins. On Sep 24 KF said that he didn't think any of the guys who missed the last game on Sep 14 would be back for the Sep 28 game and he was right.
Likely Out until Nov 9 Wisconsin game
OL Kyler Schott (injured foot on Sunday Sep 22)-- On Oct 15 KF said that Schott will not be back until after the Nov 2 bye week at the earliest (Nov 9 is at Wisconsin). On Sep 24 KF said Kyler would be out a couple weeks.
OUT FOR THE SEASON
OL Cole Banwart (leg injury); On Oct 12, Ferentz confirmed after the Penn State game that Banwart will be out for the remainder of the season. On Oct 12, his injury was officially unknown. He will need surgery. RS Sophomore Mark Kallenberger started in his place. Cole was a 7 game starter in 2018; Per Blair Sanderson,
Banwart came out limping in the Oct 5 Michigan game and didn't return. Levi Paulsen took his place the rest of the way. Blair then stated that "Hopefully Schott is getting close to returning." on Sep 14 Banwart was back in the rotation on the offensive line vs the Clowns; he was the #2 center. On Sep 24 it was reported that Cole is 100% healthy now &
would start at Right Guard in place of Schott. Cole missed the first two games because of that leg injury.
STATUS UNKNOWN
Joe Evans (hamstring) -- Joe is a redshirt freshman; he joined the team in 2018 as a walk on; he participated in the Rutgers game.
