Hawkeyes aren’t expecting Wegher back

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — Iowa isn’t expecting running back Brandon Wegher to return any time soon.

Wegher, who rushed for 641 yards and eight touchdowns last season, left the team after two days of fall camp to deal with undisclosed personal issues.

Coach Kirk Ferentz said Thursday that Wegher hasn’t indicated he’ll return in the near future.

The ninth-ranked Hawkeyes are deep at running back, though. Promising sophomores Adam Robinson and Jewel Hampton will likely share carries this season.

Ferentz also says that while “several” starters and second-stringers were injured in fall practice, he expects all of them to be available for the season opener against Eastern Illinois on Sept. 4.

Iowa also says two players have left the program: reserve fullback Wade Leppert and freshman linebacker Austin Gray.