Iowa football will have its starting running back in the lineup for its Big Ten Conference opener at Rutgers.
Kamari Moulton is back after missing the Hawkeyes’ previous two games.
Here’s what to know:
Kamari Moulton injury update
Kamari Moulton was not listed on Iowa’s pregame injury report and is expected to be in the Hawkeyes’ backfield tonight.
Moulton started Iowa’s 2025 season opener against Albany, rushing three times for 22 yards before exiting with an injury in the first quarter. He was unavailable for Iowa’s contests against Iowa State and UMass.
The redshirt sophomore was Iowa’s second-leading rusher last season behind Kaleb Johnson. Moulton rushed for more than 100 yards in a win over Maryland last season and nearly reached that milestone again in the Music City Bowl against Missouri.
Iowa’s running backs room has been hit with injuries early in the 2025 season.
Redshirt freshman Xavier Williams got hurt in the game against UMass. Ferentz said Williams is ruled out for the contest against Rutgers.
Williams currently stands as Iowa’s leading rusher this season, accumulating 186 yards on 26 carries (7.2 yards per rush) and one touchdown. Of those rushing yards, 122 came in the 2025 season opener against Albany. Williams has cooled down significantly since bursting onto the scene against the Great Danes, tallying just 64 yards combined across the last two games.
Without Williams, Jaziun Patterson and Terrell Washington Jr. may have a larger role tonight. Patterson, Iowa’s second-leading rusher this season with 161 yards, has taken advantage of his opportunities in 2025. Washington Jr. has rushed for just 95 yards so far this season.
Will Kamari Moulton play vs. Rutgers?
Yes. Moulton was not listed on the team’s pre-game injury report, which was released at 5 p.m. CT on Friday.
What Iowa coach said about Kamari Moulton’s injury update
“Looks like Kamari’s got a chance to be back,” head coach Kirk Ferentz said Sept. 16. “He worked (Monday) and (Tuesday) and looked fine. So hopefully we’ll get him ready to roll in the game, as well.”
Ferentz also commented on Moulton during Friday’s pregame show:
“He had a great week of practice,” Ferentz said. “He’s doing fine. We were encouraged a week ago with his recovery. It looked like he was coming around pretty good. He’s had a good week, so it’s good to get him back. It’ll be more exciting when we get players back and not have one left out of the picture. That would be a better deal for everybody, but that’s part of football too. So we’ll play with the group that we’ve got. We’ve got a good group of guys, and it’ll be a group effort tonight I’m sure.”
This story has been updated with a Kirk Ferentz quote from Friday night.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Kamari Moulton injury update: Iowa football RB to play vs Rutgers
Reporting by Gus Martin and Tyler Tachman, Des Moines Register / Des Moines Register
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
