Myers, Daniels could return for Iowa against Maryland

IOWA CITY, Ia. – There’s a chance running back LeShun Daniels and left offensive tackle Boone Myers could return to action when No. 12 Iowa faces Maryland Oct. 31 at Kinnick Stadium.

The forecast for running back Jordan Canzeri and offensive tackle Ike Boettger coming off this bye week isn’t as promising.

“If we were playing this week, I doubt (Myers) would play,” Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz said Thursday. “But I think he’s got a chance to start (practicing) Sunday or Monday. We’re getting there. We’re just being cautious.”

Myers suffered a stinger in the first half of the Sept. 26 game against North Texas and hasn’t played since.

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Boettger, Iowa’s right offensive tackle, suffered a high ankle sprain against Illinois Oct. 10.

"Ike's got the dreaded ankle, which is the injury of choice this year," Ferentz said.

Daniels suffered the same injury against Iowa State, in the second game of the season. He got limited carries in the Pittsburgh, North Texas and Wisconsin games, but wasn’t effective and has been shut down the past two games.

“I think he’s got a good shot (to return against Maryland),” Ferentz said. “He’s not that far away."

Canzeri became the workhorse in Daniels’ absence, gaining 256 yards on a school-record 43 carries against Illinois. But Canzeri suffered a high ankle sprain in the first quarter of last week’s victory at Northwestern.

“It’s going to be a while,” Ferentz said. “The good news is they were really worried Saturday. The X-rays were good, but they wanted to do an MRI. That’s the one he had scoped back in January. The good news was that it was some scar tissue that was torn a little bit, which made it more painful than it would be normally. I think that’s a good thing. A running back with an ankle, as we are seeing with LeShun, it’s just tricky.”

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With Canzeri out, Akrum Wadley and Derrick Mitchell stepped up against the Wildcats. Wadley was named Big Ten offensive player of the week after rushing for 204 yards and four touchdowns. Mitchell had 79 yards in 10 carries, with a touchdown. He also had three catches for 43 yards. Mitchell injured an ankle on his last carry, but it doesn’t appear to a serious injury.

“He’s a little bit limited in practice this week,” Ferentz said. “I think he’ll be fine.”

Iowa did get wide receiver Tevaun Smith back for limited action against Northwestern. He’s been out since the North Texas game with a knee injury. And tight end Jake Duzey, who had surgery in April after tearing his patellar tendon in spring camp, continues to make progress.

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“He’s getting closer,” Ferentz said. “I can’t guarantee it will be next Saturday, but I think we’ll see him start to integrate a little more, which would be great.”

Defensive end Drew Ott had surgery Thursday to repair his torn ACL.

“Outside (of Ott), everyone has a chance to get back here in the next couple of weeks, which would really help us,” Ferentz said. “And hopefully that will give us a little more octane as we move forward."