Michigan State receives positive injury update against Iowa

EAST LANSING – Michigan State is coming off a break and appears to be healthier in some areas.

The Spartans (3-3, 1-2 Big Ten) host Iowa (4-1, 2-1) on Saturday (7:30 p.m., NBC) and linebacker Jordan Hall is not on the availability report.

The second-year senior opted out but didn't lose at Oregon after being listed as questionable before Michigan State received a bye last week. Additionally, cornerback Ade Willie is not listed on the report, while defensive end Avery Dunn and wide receiver Alante Brown, who has not played since suffering an injury in the season opener, are listed as questionable.

“I think the closest is Alante,” coach Jonathan Smith said on Monday about the possible return of players who have been out for a while. “We'll see. I hope he can come back by the end of the season. He’s moving around a little bit, but after being cleared to play a game, he’s not quite there yet.”

The four players missing for the Spartans against the Hawkeyes all missed multiple games: receiver Antonio Gates Jr., safety Dillon Tatum, cornerback Chance Rucker and tight end Michael Masunas, who is undergoing season-ending shoulder surgery during the off week .

Michigan State opened the season 3-0 for the first time since 2021 but lost three straight, including 31-10 at Oregon before the bye. Iowa followed a lopsided loss at Ohio State with a 40-16 win over Washington.

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