Cade McNamara addresses availability for Iowa’s Week 1 game, injury rehab

Cade McNamara is questionable for Iowa’s season opener vs. Utah State on Sept. 2 due to a muscle injury in his leg.

The quarterback, who transferred this offseason from Michigan, sustained the injury during open scrimmage on Aug. 12 in a non-contact play while scrambling out of the pocket. Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz confirmed that McNamara has not yet not returned to practice.

On Aug. 23, McNamara provided an update on his rehab to KCCI’s Shannon Ehrhardt.

I sat down with Iowa QB Cade McNamara and asked him if he’d be ready for next Saturday’s game. This is what he gave me.

Stay tuned to @KCCINews in the coming weeks for something BIG with McNamara, plus another player on the Iowa offense. @scottreister #Hawkeyes pic.twitter.com/VpsXZgWdKq

— Shannon Ehrhardt (@SEhrhardtKCCI) August 24, 2023

McNamara is keeping his recovery close to the vest.

“I’m progressing and that’s all I want to say about that,” McNamara said.

McNamara was out for the majority of last season after having knee injury and transferred to Iowa after being edged by J.J. McCarthy. In 2021, McNamara passed for 2,576 yards, 15 touchdowns, and 6 interceptions as Michigan qualified for the College Football Playoff.

Joe Labas and Deacon Hill are the other options at quarterback as McNamara sits out.

Iowa vs. Utah State is slated for noon EST and will be televised on FS1.