Iowa defensive coordinator Phil Parker calls shoulder injury 'no big deal' and provides injury updates on secondary

IOWA CITY, Iowa (KCRG) – Iowa defensive coordinator Phil Parker was hit during a practice last month and had to undergo preseason surgery for the injury.

“Someone collided with me and I hit them at a bad angle. All I did was tear my rotator cuff, tear my labrum and tear a bicep. No big deal,” Parker said.

He never suffered an injury like this during his playing days, but anyone who thought he would work anywhere other than on the sidelines as a coach is wrong.

“It's hard for me to be in the box because I like to be with my players, look them in the eyes and see what they're thinking. Understand if they're OK, understand what we're doing,” Parker said. “I just have to be careful.”

While Parker's recovery is trending upward, Iowa's secondary is looking healthier. Safeties Xavier Nwankpa and Koen Entringer were among the players who did not participate in Kids Day earlier this month, but he expects both to be available in Week 1. Additionally, eight defensive starters are back from a group that produced the fewest yards per game in the nation.

“We are very experienced, but we still have to play the games on Saturday,” Parker said.

The returning starters include sixth- and fifth-year players whose knowledge was invaluable in the preseason.

“The experience that Jay [Higgins] and Nick [Jackson] have on the linebacker position and [Kyler] Fisher, those guys are like a coach out there on the field,” he said.

To prepare players like them for their opener against Illinois State, it's crucial to make sure they don't overdo it.

“The players have said, 'Hey coach, we need some more of our reps,' and that's been a good response from our players. They want to get their reps. We've got to get them out there,” Parker said. “You just don't want rust to build up. You want to keep them fresh.”

The Hawkeyes will host the Redbirds on Saturday, August 31st. Kickoff is at 11am.

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