Not much went wrong for the Hawkeyes against Northern Illinois, but they didn't escape last weekend's game without a few injuries.
In week one's 40-0 blowout victory, the Hawkeyes lost multiple offensive linemen and a running back, but luckily for the squad, the two starting offensive linemen's injuries weren't serious. Both Cael Winter and Kade Pieper left the game, but the injuries were described as heat-related, with temperatures in the triple digits. Unfortunately for running back L.J. Phillips, his injury is a little more serious.
L.J. Phillips Jr. suffered a high-ankle sprain in the in over Northern Illinois
The Hawkeyes have a lot of depth at the running back position, but after Saturday's win, that depth took a hit with an injury to talented transfer running back L.J. Phillips Jr.
Iowa running back LJ Phillips suffered what’s believed to be a high ankle sprain this past weekend against Northern Illinois, sources tell me and @chris_hummer.
— Matt Zenitz (@mzenitz) September 7, 2026
Transferred to Iowa after running for 1,920 yards last year at South Dakota State. Iowa plays Iowa State Saturday. pic.twitter.com/Uzy3Nm5nEC
Early in the game against NIU, Phillips Jr. was hit hard by a defender and was limping when he finally got to his feet. Now we know that Phillips Jr. could miss some time with an injury. According to CBS senior college football writer Matt Zenitz, Phillips Jr. suffered a high-ankle sprain, and he will miss the Iowa State game. High-ankle sprains are always difficult to diagnose, and depending on Phillips Jr.'s pain tolerance and ability to heal, he could miss significant time. Phillips Jr. was a key transfer for the Hawkeyes in the winter transfer portal window after a stellar season with South Dakota, and losing him will test their backfield depth.
After Phillips Jr. went out, Nathan McNeil, Xavier Williams, O'Lantae Dean, Brevin Doll, and Braeden Jackson all received carries, with Jackson doing the most damage (30 rushing yards). McNeil and Williams are listed as Moulton's primary backups against Iowa State with Phillips Jr. sidelined, and it wouldn't be surprising if we see a healthy mix of those two and Jackson when Moulton needs a sub. If Moulton is going as well as he was against Northern Illinois, he will only need quick spells on the sideline, and the Hawkeyes don't have a shortage of talented backs to do that. With Phillips Jr. out, it will be interesting to see how Kirk Ferentz and OC Tim Lester split up carries, but the running back room is still in good shape.
Iowa's depth will be tested, but the backfield shouldn't have a problem with ISU
A high-ankle sprain is not something to take lightly, and hopefully for Phillips Jr. and the rest of the group, he can get back out there as soon as possible. Luckily for the Hawkeyes, both McNeil and Williams got significant playing time last season due to injuries to Moulton and Terrance Washington Jr., as well as in the week one victory over NIU. Moulton will continue receiving the bulk of the carries, but the squad shouldn't be worried if Phillips Jr. misses significant time.
New running backs coach Jay Norvell had his guys locked in and rolling in week one, and the offensive line created massive holes for the rushing attack all game. The Cyclones have very few returners after Matt Campbell left for the Penn State head coaching job, and the offensive line and running game should have a lot of success against Iowa State's new front four. Iowa's running back room is very deep, and they can use that to their advantage all season. There is never a good time to have injuries, but Iowa is lucky it happened near the beginning of the season with a mostly healthy running back room
For now, Phillips Jr. can focus on fully healing and he can rest assured that there won't be a major drop off in skill level and talent with him sidelined with an injury.
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