Sophomore offensive guard Cole Banwart has already missed three games this season, but now he is expected to sit out the rest of the year too.

Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz said in his Tuesday press conference that Banwart will have season-ending surgery.

As far as replacing Banwart, Ferentz left open the possibility of someone earning his vacated spot in practice.

The loss of Banwart is a major one for the Iowa offensive line, which hasn’t played well in its last two games — both losses. Banwart missed his first couple games because of a foot injury, but it’s not clear at this time whether his season-ending surgery is related to that ailment.

The sophomore started 12 games last season as a freshman.