Iowa football likely without starting OL Logan Jones vs. Missouri

Iowa may be without a starting offensive lineman vs. Missouri.

The Iowa Hawkeyes (8-4, 6-3 Big Ten) may be without one of their key cogs up front against Missouri (9-3, 5-3 SEC) in the TransPerfect Music City Bowl.

Iowa starting center Logan Jones was held out of practice on Thursday and spotted with a cast on his right hand.

According to Chad Leistikow of the Des Moines Register, Jones suffered a broken bone in his right hand during a recent practice. Jones’ right hand is his snapping hand.

With Jones likely sidelined, it clears the way for fifth-year senior Tyler Elsbury to start for Iowa at center.

Elsbury started a pair of games for Iowa this season at left guard when Beau Stephens was sidelined. A native of Byron, Ill., Elsbury has started five games during his Iowa career.

Mason Richman, Iowa’s mainstay at left tackle over the past four seasons, said Elsbury getting an opportunity would be the lone positive of Jones potentially being sidelined.

“The only bright side of this in my mind is Logan is coming back (next year), and Els can’t,” Richman said. “That’s the only thing that is beautiful about that to me, is that Els gets his shot.

“He’s been waiting for his moment. I think he’s ready for this. He’s been dying for this.”

Iowa’s starting right tackle Gennings Dunker made news on Thursday as well. Like Jones earlier this month, Dunker confirmed his return to the Hawkeyes for the 2025 season.

Dunker said Iowa has one of the nation’s best backup centers in Elsbury and that the Hawkeyes will move forward with what they’ve got.

“He’s really good,” Dunker said of Elsbury. “It definitely sucks, but that kind of stuff happens. You can’t just get on the bus and drive away because LoJo’s hurt. He’ll be fine. It’s just a hand.”

Iowa battles Missouri on Dec. 30 from Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., with kickoff set for 1:30 p.m. CT and the game televised on ESPN.

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