Iowa football: Hawkeyes quarterback Cade McNamara provides update on his status

Posted by Admin November 22, 2024 Football

Iowa quarterback Cade McNamara provided an update on his status via social media on Friday.

“It has come to my attention that there are individuals in the media circulating rumors about my current status on the Iowa Football Team,” McNamara posted. “My status is the same as it’s always been- a proud member of this football team.

“I suffered a concussion versus Northwestern and have been doing everything in my power to get back on the field. I have NOT been cleared to play yet. I was cleared to participate in practice this past Sunday but had an adverse reaction which is common for someone coming out of protocol. I have been lifting and attending meetings as much as possible but have not physically participated in practice Monday through Thursday of this week. Because of this, I am unable to travel and participate this weekend at Maryland. I have been working with the University of Iowa doctors and trainers, a concussions specialist focused on vision training, as well as engaging in hyperbaric treatments as frequent as possible. I have every intention to play versus Nebraska next Friday night and I am confident that my teammates will return from Maryland with a win.”

Iowa’s quarterback room has been decimated with injuries this season.

McNamara, Brendan Sullivan and Marco Lainez have each missed time this season.

McNamara started the first eight games of the season with underwhelming production. He exited the ninth due to a concussion, and Brendan Sullivan took over. Sullivan helped lead Iowa to a win in that game (vs. Northwestern) and followed it up with an encouraging performance in a win vs. Wisconsin. Then he turned the ball over three times against UCLA and left the contest due to an injury of his own.

Even after the bye week, Sullivan would not be available for Iowa’s game against Maryland on Saturday.

On Monday of this week, McNamara was listed as 1st string quarterback on the depth chart released by Iowa. But during Tuesday’s meeting with the media, head coach Kirk Ferentz said that he expected preferred walk-on Jackson Stratton to start.

After throwing 17 passes in his Colorado State career, Stratton transferred to Iowa during the offseason as a preferred walk-on and was buried on the depth chart before those in front of him were unable to play. Stratton actually performed well in a difficult spot when he was thrust into action against UCLA, leading the Hawkeyes to a touchdown-scoring drive in the loss.

“He stepped in, did a great job, led us to a touchdown drive,” Iowa center Logan Jones said Tuesday. “He just does his job. And the way he carries himself, he just wants to improve and get better every single day. He’s only been with the team for a few months now but he’s kinda embraced everything about being a Hawkeye.”

Earlier this week, Ferentz said McNamara practiced Sunday. Ferentz also said McNamara had been “cleared to play. Whether or not he can play effectively or not, we’ll see. We’ll just see how the week goes.”

In his statement on Friday, McNamara said he practiced Sunday, which lined up with Ferentz’s summation. However, McNamara said that he had “NOT” been cleared to play, which directly contradicts what Ferentz stated earlier in the week. McNamara said he “was cleared to participate in practice this past Sunday.”

McNamara also stated that he had an “adverse reaction” coming out of concussion protocol. But when asked about McNamara’s status on Tuesday, Ferentz said McNamara hadn’t suffered any setbacks.

McNamara also said he has “every intention to play versus Nebraska” on Black Friday, the Hawkeyes’ final regular season game in 2024.

Iowa’s once-hopeful season has fallen sideways and seems to be dealing with some serious drama.

Follow Tyler Tachman on X @Tyler_T15, contact via email at ttachman@gannett.com