The Hawkeyes entered the bye week banged up on both sides of the football.
After Iowa's week five loss to Indiana at home, starting quarterback Mark Gronowski, running back Terrell Washington Jr., and linebacker Jaden Harrell were all added to the injury report.
Iowa Head Coach Kirk Ferentz addressed the injury report during his weekly press conference and gave updates on multiple players before Iowa travels to Wisconsin.
Mark Gronowski's status
Ferentz stated that Gronowski was medically cleared last week, paving the way for him to suit up against the Badgers this weekend.
He also mentioned that Gronowski returned to normal practice, but did not do much last week. Instead, backup quarterbacks Hank Brown and Jeremy Hecklinski took all the first-team reps while Gronowski was recovering.
Ferentz said Gronowski is the clear starter, but it all depends on what he can do physically. He also would not commit to naming Gronowski as the starter for Saturday, even though he is listed at the top of the Week Seven depth chart.
Reece Vander Zee returns
Ferentz noted that starting wide receiver Reece Vander Zee started running and working with the training staff last week as he nears a return to the field.
Vander Zee has been out since the beginning of the season with a foot injury, but is available this week in a limited capacity.
Ferentz stated that he has missed so much time that he is not in game shape yet, and does not expect him to "set the world on fire" IF he plays this weekend.
Jaden Harrell is not expected to play
At the beginning of his weekly press conference, Ferentz noted that starting linebacker Jaden Harrell is not expected to play against Wisconsin this weekend.
After starting the first five games at the middle linebacker position, Harrell was banged up against Indiana, and will not suit up for the game this weekend.
With Harrell on the sideline, junior linebacker Jayden Montgomery was named the starting middle linebacker.
Jaziun Patterson and Terrell Washington Jr. are out
The revolving door at the running back position continues to swing as running backs Jaziun Patterson and Terrell Washington Jr. are not listed on the Week Seven depth chart.
Patterson suffered an ankle injury during Iowa's September 19 win against Rutgers. Patterson had six carries for 37 yards before leaving the game and was not able to return. He will miss his second consecutive game this weekend.
Washington Jr. was dinged up in the Indiana game and is not expected to return this week. After being listed as the starter in week two, Washington Jr. has sustained minor injuries, but was able to return.
This week, the Hawkeyes have freshmen Xavier Williams and Nathan McNeil listed as the primary backups to Kamari Moulton.