Iowa’s depth is already getting tested, but the Hawkeyes are fortunate that the first bumps in the road landed in spots they can absorb.
Running back L.J. Phillips and defensive back Tyler Brown will both be out for Week 2 against Iowa State, Kirk Ferentz said this week. Phillips is dealing with a high ankle sprain, while Brown’s absence continues after he also missed Week 1.
“Injury-wise, Tyler Brown won't make it again this week. That was anticipated.
Then LJ will not be able to make it either. Hopefully that won't last too long, but those are basically the two takeaways from the game,” Ferentz said of the initial injuries.
Ferentz later made it clear Phillips is not a game-time possibility for this week.
“It will be week to week, but definitely not this week,” Ferentz added about L.J. Phillips, confirming he will be out versus Iowa State.
Phillips had been getting meaningful work in short-yardage packages as he tried to settle into the offense, but that progress is on pause for now while he recovers.
Brown’s injury doesn’t change Iowa’s defensive look much, though it does keep Zach Lutmer at safety for another week. That gives the Hawkeyes the same secondary alignment again, with Lutmer, Anthony Hawkins, Jaylen Watson, and Deshaun Lee handling the safety and cornerback roles.
On offense, Iowa should keep leaning on Kamari Moulton, and his workload could climb to around 20 carries. Xavier Williams and Nathan McNeil are also in line for more snaps in the backfield, and both are comfortable stepping in.
For Iowa, the encouraging part is simple: the injuries are real, but the depth chart is built to cover them. Running back and defensive back remain two of the team’s strongest groups, which gives the Hawkeyes some breathing room while Phillips and Brown recover.
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Brown also pointed to a few snaps that shaped the afternoon, including a pass broken up by Tony Diaz, as examples of the fine line Iowa is trying to walk. With Iowa State next on the schedule, the focus now turns to preparation and to one of the programs most familiar pressure points, finding more efficiency when the offense gets close to the goal line. [Read more 🡒]