Joe Labas Injury News & Updates

Labas has entered the transfer portal, David Eickholt of 247Sports.com reports.

Even with a mid-season injury to Cade McNamara (knee), Labas was unable to log any counting stats during 2023, having spent the year serving as Iowa's third-string quarterback behind both McNamara and Deacon Hill. It appears Labas can envision better opportunities for him elsewhere, and he will look to transfer to prove such notion.

Labas (undisclosed) is available for Saturday's game versus Utah State.

Labas will suit up Saturday, but is still expected to be behind Cade McNamara and Deacon Hill in the Hawkeyes' depth chart at quarterback. Labas completed 14-of-24 passes for 139 yards and one touchdown in his lone appearance last season.

Labas has returned to practice, Chad Leistikow of the Des Moines Register reports.

Labas has reportedly looked good in his return to practice. However, he's still Iowa's third quarterback behind Cade McNamara and Deacon Hill. If McNamara couldn't play, it would likely be Hill that took his place as Labas simply hasn't practiced much as of late.

Labas (undisclosed) is listed on the depth chart ahead of Saturday's game against Utah State.

Labas is currently listed as the No. 3 quarterback while he continues dealing with an undisclosed injury, but is ultimately believed to back up Cade McNamara upon his return. The second year quarterback is a former four-star recruit who appeared in one game last season, completing 58.3 percent of his passes for 139 yards and one touchdown.

Labas has been sidelined throughout the preseason due to a soft tissue injury, Elliot Clough of Rivals.com reports.

Labas is still slated to be Iowa's backup quarterback behind Cade McNamara, but it's unclear if Labas will miss any time to begin the regular season. If he's unable to suit up for Week 1 against Utah State, Deacon Hill would presumably take over backup duties.

Labas completed 14 of 24 passes for 139 yards and one touchdown during Saturday's 21-0 win against Kentucky in the Music City Bowl.

Labas got out to a nice start, completing each of his first three passing attempts to different receivers for 37 yards. He then went on to hit tight end Luke Lachey for a 15-yard touchdown early in the second quarter. This marked the lone offensive touchdown of the game in this shutout performance for the Hawkeyes' defense, which recorded two pick-sixes against Wildcats true freshman quarterback Destin Wade. Labas was Iowa's top starting option with Spencer Petras (shoulder) ruled out and previous No. 2 quarterback Alex Padilla entering the transfer portal prior to the Music City Bowl. However, he'll face an uphill battle to win this job heading into next season after graduate senior Cade McNamara committed to transfer from Michigan to Iowa in early December.