Iowa has been relatively healthy through the first three weeks of the season, but the running back room has been banged up over the past few weeks.
Starter Kamari Moulton missed Iowa's week-three game against Northern Iowa after suffering a late injury in week two. Kirk Ferentz has been optimistic about his health heading into week four, but Moulton wasn't listed on the depth chart. Iowa has also been without backup L.J. Phillips since he suffered an early injury in week one, but running backs coach Jay Norvell recently gave an important update on his status.
Jay Norvell announced that Phillips Jr. will be available for the Michigan game
Even without their top two options against Northern Iowa, the Hawkeyes still put up 422 rushing yards, with three running backs tallying over 100 yards. Xavier Williams (153 yards), Braeden Jackson (125 yards), and Nathan McNeil (111 yards) all cleared the 100-yard plateau, proving that Iowa has one of the deepest and most talented backfields in college football. Ferentz said that Moulton is their "No. 1 guy," and if he can go against Michigan, he will be out there.
With Moulton's status still unknown, the Hawkeyes received great news about Phillips Jr. before the team heads to Michigan.
Jay Norvell says that RB LJ Phillips will be available this weekend against Michigan.
— David Eickholt (@DavidEickholt) September 23, 2026
Iowa is getting closer to full strength in the running back room as Norvell announced that backup L.J. Phillips will be "available" for week four against the Wolverines, but he didn't specify his role. Phillips Jr. adds another weapon to the Iowa backfield, and even though we don't know how many snaps he'll get, having him back only helps. There is a good chance that, although Phillips Jr. is available, he might not receive many snaps, especially with how well the group played last weekend against UNI.
Michigan's defense is far better than Northern Iowa's, and if Phillips Jr. is healthy, he will be out there. Luckily for the offense, they can go at least five deep with Phillips Jr., Williams, McNeil, Jackson, and O'Lantae Dean, and that doesn't include Moulton. Iowa would prefer Moulton out there, but we shouldn't worry if he isn't. It will be interesting to see whether the running backs group can match the success against Michigan that they have had through the first three games, especially if the backfield is fully healthy for the first time since the preseason.
Ferentz won't force Moulton or Phillips Jr. out there if they aren't ready, but having both is the best-case scenario. If Moulton can't go, Phillips Jr. could earn his first start and give Iowa even more weapons in an already loaded backfield. The Iowa offensive line has its work cut out for them against a stout Michigan front four, and if Moulton and/or Phillips Jr. aren't fully healthy, then they shouldn't be out there. Iowa has to establish the running game early, and having a full complement of healthy running backs is a great way to do that.
Phillips Jr. had an excellent offseason in his first year with the Hawkeyes, and he can finally prove why he had so much hype after transferring to the program from the South Dakota Coyotes in the winter.
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