Iowa receiver Reece Vander Zee reportedly suffers ‘freak’ injury, out for a month
Iowa wide receiver Reece Vander Zee is expected to miss roughly a month after sustaining a foot injury, according to reports from CBS Sports’ Matt Zenitz.
The timing is difficult for the Hawkeyes, who open the 2025 season against Albany this weekend and face a Cy-Hawk rivalry matchup with No. 22 Iowa State the following week. Vander Zee’s absence removes one of Iowa’s most reliable returning pass-catchers from an offense still settling into a new identity under transfer quarterback Mark Gronowski and second-year coordinator Tim Lester.
Vander Zee emerged as a key contributor in 2024, starting eight of nine games played and finishing with 14 receptions for 176 yards and three touchdowns. He made a strong impression in his debut, catching five passes for 65 yards and two scores in a shutout win over Illinois State.
He became the first Iowa freshman in nearly two decades to score twice in a season opener. Though injuries limited him later in the year, he positioned himself as the Hawkeyes’ second-leading returning receiver behind Jacob Gill.
His setback shifts responsibility to Iowa’s depth chart at wideout. Seth Anderson and Kaden Wetjen are likely to take on expanded roles, while Gill remains a presence. Chattanooga transfer Sam Phillips, who led the Southern Conference in receiving yards last season, is also expected to factor into the rotation.
Vander Zee’s timeline projects him out through September, meaning he would likely miss Big Ten play at Rutgers in Week 4.
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