Iowa junior defensive back Cooper DeJean suffered a lower-leg injury in practice and is expected to miss significant time, a source confirmed to ESPN.
DeJean has been pivotal to the Hawkeyes’ success both on defense and special teams over the last several seasons and his absence will be a big blow for Iowa (8-2, 5-2 Big Ten), a team on the cusp of winning the Big Ten West with a victory at home over Illinois on Saturday.
The Athletic was first to report the news of DeJean’s injury.
Through 10 games this season, he has 41 tackles (26 solo) with two tackles for loss, five passes defensed and two interceptions.
DeJean’s three interception returns for touchdowns in 2022 set a program single-season record.
His 70-yard punt return for a touchdown helped spark Iowa to a 26-16 victory over Michigan State on Sept. 30, the night quarterback Cade McNamara was lost for the season with a torn ACL.
The Hawkeyes’ defense ranks eighth in FBS in total defense (281.5 YPG) and is third nationally in scoring defense (12.3 PPG).
DeJean is a finalist for the Nagurski Trophy and a semifinalist for the Thorpe Award, Lott IMPACT Trophy and the Bednarik Award.