Spencer Petras reveals severity of injury, plans for future at Iowa

In Iowa’s season finale against Nebraska, quarterback Spencer Petras left with an unspecified injury that will also keep him out of the Music City Bowl against Kentucky. Wednesday, he confirmed how serious it was.

Petras tore his rotator cuff and his labrum, meaning he’ll be out six to 11 months, according to the Des Moines Register’s Chad Leistikow. However, he plans on being back on the Hawkeyes’ roster in the spring to work his way back to full strength and help support transfer portal addition Cade McNamara.

Petras was the starting quarterback for much of the year as Iowa struggled on offense. He ended the season with 1,725 passing yards, five touchdowns and five interceptions. Alex Padilla took over for him against Nebraska, but he entered the portal after the season. That means the Hawkeyes will turn to either Joey Labas — the third-string quarterback this year — or true freshman Carson May under center.

Iowa hits the transfer portal to build offense for the future

McNamara will bring quite a boost to the offense when he can officially play next season as a graduate transfer. A former starter at Michigan, he helped lead the Wolverines to the College Football Playoff last year before losing the starting job to J.J. McCarthy this year. He also suffered a leg injury that required surgery.

McNamara isn’t the only former Michigan player heading to Iowa City next year. Tight end Erick All is also coming in to try and help reignite the Hawkeyes’ offensive attack after serving as a top target for McNamara in Ann Arbor. Last year with McNamara under center, All totaled 437 receiving yards and two touchdowns.

Before they can officially play in games, though, Iowa will take on Kentucky in the Music City Bowl. That game kicks off Saturday at noon ET from Nissan Stadium.