Iowa head football coach Kirk Ferentz revealed today that standout linebacker Jestin Jacobs would miss the remainder of the 2022 season as he is set to undergo surgery.
“And then, on the injury front, unfortunately, we did get bad news on Jestin (Jacobs). You know, it didn’t sound good the other night and it’s been confirmed, so he’s going to have to have surgery and is going to miss the rest of the season. That’s obviously a very tough break and, you know, tough for the team, but, most importantly, just tough on the individual and that’s the worst part about injuries,” Ferentz said.
It’s a serious blow to the Hawkeyes’ defense as Jacobs is one of the unit’s top playmakers. Still, it’s obviously worse for Jacobs.
Ferentz was also asked if this surgery would keep Jacobs sidelined well beyond the 2022 season and into the 2023 NFL draft season.
“This year’s draft or next year’s draft? I’m worried about Michigan right now. I mean, I’m not looking down the road that far. But he’s out for the season if that’s what you mean. He’s out for the season. It’s just disappointing. Awful. I mean, you know, like anybody, it just stinks. I’ve said it a million times, that’s the thing about injuries that I’m not sure everybody understands. If you’re a college football player, I mean, that’s important to you to play those 12 games. That’s all that you have guaranteed. He just lost whatever we’ve got left, 10, I don’t know, nine. There’s nothing worse. And then you feel isolated.
“There’s a whole mental psychological component that comes with being injured. I can’t say enough about our training staff, not only about the job they do to physically get people back, but there’s a lot of lonely hours when you’re not involved and that’s whether you have a sprained ankle or in this case a surgery, it’s just awful. It’s terrible,” Ferentz said of Jacobs’ injury and ensuing recovery.
If Iowa wants to use some 4-3 looks, Ferentz said they still have the versatility in personnel to do so.
“Yeah, I mean, we have flexibility. Seth’s been out there before, and Jack’s played some, too, so we’ll figure that out. But we have some guys that have versatility, which is a good thing. Jestin has played inside, too, so I think that’s one thing we try to do is keep some flexibility in the system if you can,” Ferentz said.
He also updated the status of several other players as well. Defensively, Ferentz was asked about the status of cornerback Terry Roberts and if he will be available to play this week against Michigan.
“We’ll see. I mean, we’re hoping so. We’ll see,” Ferentz said of Roberts.
Asked if he’s been able to practice, Iowa’s head coach offered up the following.
“A little bit. Limited, yeah, so we’ll just see how it goes,” Ferentz said.
Ferentz also touched on the status of fellow defensive back Brenden Deasfernandes and what he’s seen from defensive backs TJ Hall and Jamison Heinz.
“Yeah, Brenden is still out, unfortunately, and the other two guys have stepped up and done a good job. We’re getting a little thin, but that’s the world we live in, and those guys are doing a good job. We’ll just keep pushing forward,” Ferentz said.
Lastly, Iowa will still be without one of its top pass-catching threats in wide receiver Keagan Johnson.
“And then Keagan right now will not be going this week, so we’ll take that a day at a time, a week at a time and just keep moving forward there,” Ferentz said.
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