Kirk Ferentz on Iowa Hawkeyes' lengthy injury list: 'Hell yeah,' it's concerning, but 'we're getting closer'

IOWA CITY, Ia. — Kirk Ferentz knows he'll get some injured pieces back at some point. But it won't be this week. 

Iowa's long list of causalities isn't getting any shorter. In fact, it's actually growing. Add right guard Kyler Schott to the group who'll miss Saturday's game against Middle Tennessee State. Additionally, the Hawkeyes aren't getting anyone back who didn't play two weeks ago against Iowa State.   

In case you lost track, a refresher: cornerbacks Riley Moss, Julius Brents and Matt Hankins; defensive tackle Brady Reiff; safety Kaevon Merriweather; and left tackle Alaric Jackson will watch Saturday's game in street clothes. The bye week helped, but not enough right now. 

"We're getting closer," Ferentz said, "but there's a lot of ambiguity right now." 

"Hell yeah (it's concerning). We've got a lot of guys out. It's concerning every week. It was concerning the last time we played. I looked over today and half our two-deep is in street clothes watching practice. But that's football. We're not dwelling on that."     

Headlining the injured list is Jackson, who's been out since suffering a knee sprain in the season opener. Ferentz said he's one of the few injured players progressing.  

"Getting closer," Ferentz said. "He is one guy making an active move forward."    

Schott suffered a foot injury Sunday, Ferentz said. Cole Banwart, who also missed time to start the year, is the likely candidate to slide into the starting lineup.  

Dargan Southard covers Iowa and UNI athletics, recruiting and preps for the Des Moines Register, HawkCentral.com and the Iowa City Press-Citizen. Email him at msouthard@gannett.com or follow him on Twitter at @Dargan_Southard.