Hank Brown describes shoulder sprain as Iowa’s Friday quarterback decision stays open

Iowa quarterback Hank Brown said Tuesday that he sprained the AC joint in his throwing shoulder against Ohio State, leaving his availability uncertain for Friday’s game at Washington. Brown told reporters he had been able to throw Tuesday and was working toward playing on the short week.

Brown’s expectation does not amount to a confirmed start. In a first-hand report from Tuesday’s media session, HawkeyeInsider’s Eliot Clough said Brown acknowledged that his participation remained in question.

ESPN’s Jake Trotter reported Brown’s description of the injury and his rehabilitation plans Tuesday afternoon. Brown said he was relying on Iowa’s training staff and spending time working on movement in the shoulder as he tried to prepare for Friday.

The Des Moines Register’s account of the same media session added that Brown could lift his arm over his shoulder again. Brown said he injured the throwing shoulder when he was driven to the ground on the play that ended with an Ohio State interception. He described progress in practice while keeping the focus on being ready for Washington.

Jeremy Hecklinski replaced Brown in Iowa’s 31-14 loss Saturday. The Register credited Hecklinski with completing all five of his passes and directing a touchdown drive, followed by a successful two-point pass to Reece Vander Zee. ESPN reported that Hecklinski would start if Brown were ruled out.

The quarterbacks competed for the job during the preseason before Brown won the starting role. Brown has thrown for 832 yards and five touchdowns this season, according to ESPN. He threw the winning touchdown on the final play of Iowa’s 20-19 victory at Michigan on September 26, then completed 12 of 27 passes for 132 yards against Ohio State.

Tuesday’s update supplies more detail about Brown’s shoulder and confirms that he has resumed throwing. Iowa’s decision about Friday’s starting quarterback remains open while he works through the week.