Kirk Ferentz shares injury updates to Hawkeyes offense ahead of Big Ten action

IOWA CITY — Iowa football could finally get some of its veteran offense back this week.

With Big Ten football days away from kicking off, head coach Kirk Ferentz had some positive — and negative — updates on the injured offense.

The Hawkeyes haven’t had started running back Kamari Moulton since the first drive of the season. He left the game after just three carries, not moving his right arm walking toward the locker room, and return in a sling. Moulton was deemed week-to-week by Ferentz during Week 2.

Now, Ferentz said Moulton’s back practicing, and there’s hope he’ll crack the lineup against Rutgers on Friday night.

“Positive front, looks like Kamari has got a chance to be back,” Ferentz said Tuesday afternoon. “He worked yesterday and today and looked fine, so hopefully we'll get him ready to roll in the game as well.”

Ferentz hinted Moulton’s rejoining the lineup following Saturday’s 47-7 win over UMass, but Moulton wasn’t listed on this week’s depth chart.

However, Ferentz said running back Xavier Williams, who’s exploded onto the scene with Moulton’s absence, is out for the conference opener. Williams is also dealing with an arm injury, and left Saturday’s game early.

Williams has averaged 7.1 yards per carry this season, including a 43-yard dash against Albany. He was listed second in the depth chart behind Terrell Washington Jr. Ferentz also said Williams’ injury isn’t season-ending, but will take a few weeks.

“I'd rather not do a prisoner exchange, quite frankly,” Ferentz said. “I'd rather go 2-for-none instead of 1-for-1. But the good news about Xavier is he'll be fine, but it's just going to take a little time.”

Wide receiver Reece Vander Zee is unlikely to make an appearance before the bye week as well. The sophomore had a foot injury days before the home opener, and was wearing a boot since then. During last week’s game, Vander Zee made his first appearance without a boot, but Ferentz said his leading returning receiver won’t see the field for another few weeks.

Ferentz also said receiver Jarriett Buie is dealing with soft tissue injuries going as far back as January, and it hasn’t allowed the sophomore receiver to move well. Buie appeared in all 13 games last season, including five starts for 94 yards.

“I don't think it's anything major right now, but it's been enough to keep him out,” Ferentz said. “And it's hard as a receiver if you can't run, and that's kind of been the issue.”

Ferentz didn’t add any timetable for Buie’s return.

The Hawkeyes open Big Ten play in a Friday night matchup against Rutgers. It’s the fourth time to two programs have started conference play together.

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