The first official Big Ten injury report for the Hawkeyes was released, and it is relatively clean.
The Hawkeyes have been healthy through the first three games of the season, but were without multiple key contributors in week three against Northern Iowa. The Hawkeyes were without running backs Kamari Moulton and L.J. Phillips, as well as starting tight end DJ Vonnahme, but they weren't really necessary against Northern Iowa. All three players are key to beating Michigan on the road, and the outlook is bright for all three.
Kirk Ferentz stated he 'expects' Moulton and Vonnahme to be out there on Saturday
Running backs coach Jay Norvell recently shared that backup running back L.J. Phillips Jr. is available for Saturday's road trip, but he didn't specify his role. Having Phillips Jr. back in the lineup is great news, and the news got even better.
Kirk Ferentz says on Hawk Talk that 'we expect to have both [DJ Vonnahme and Kamari Moulton] out there [on the field] on Saturday'. https://t.co/ePpD8Cf1vk
— Sean Bock (@SBock247) September 24, 2026
Iowa's initial Big Ten injury report lists both Kamari Moulton and DJ Vonnahme as "questionable," but Ferentz expects that both will play on Saturday. This is a fluctuating situation, but if both guys are healthy, they will be out there this weekend. Ferentz used "expected" because it isn't clear if both players will play, and he is leaving it open-ended. Iowa didn't need Moulton or Vonnahme for week three against UNI, as the offense exploded for 640 total yards against an overmatched UNI squad, but they are extremely important this weekend.
Iowa's running back and tight end groups are both extremely deep, but against the best teams, you need your best players, and the offense will take a hit if they aren't in the lineup. Moulton exploded for 183 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns in week one against Northern Illinois before coming back down to earth against Iowa State, but the Hawkeyes need him in the backfield on Saturday.
Vonnahme is also a critical offensive piece, and even though he has started slowly, that is more a product of the offensive scheme than his ability. Vonnahme led the team in receiving yards (434) and receiving touchdowns in 2025 (4), and is poised for another big season. Through the first three weeks, the offense was using two quarterbacks, creating inconsistencies in the passing game. Now that Hank Brown has locked up the starting quarterback role, expect Vonnahme's production to increase. Vonnahme is important not only in the passing game but also in the running game because of his elite blocking.
Both players are critical for Iowa's success, and although both position groups are deep, they need Moluton and Vonnahme to be at their best.
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