Iowa Professional Athletes

Iowa's NFL alumni class generated more news this preseason week than most programs generate in a full month — and the headlines ranged from triumphant to brutal.

George Kittle: Back on the Field

The biggest story out of Iowa country: George Kittle was activated off the 49ers' Active/Physically Unable to Perform list, clearing the path for his return from a torn Achilles tendon suffered in January. The activation makes Kittle eligible to practice and puts a Week 1 return squarely in play — though San Francisco has been measured about committing to a hard timeline. Still, for a player who tore his Achilles less than eight months ago, getting off the PUP list before the preseason finale is a genuine milestone. Kittle remains one of the most important players on San Francisco's offense, and his availability could reshape the 49ers' ceiling in 2026.

Sam LaPorta: Hip Healed, Back at Practice

In Detroit, Sam LaPorta returned to practice Tuesday for the first time since suffering a hip injury — good news for a Lions offense that leans heavily on its tight end. LaPorta's return came as the Lions were dealing with a thin safety room, so getting their starting TE back healthy added some relief to an otherwise complicated injury picture. His timeline to full availability wasn't specified, but the fact that he's back on the field puts him on track for the regular season.

Seattle's Double Blow: Clark and Richman Both on IR

The Seahawks took two significant hits before the season even starts. Safety Bud Clark and offensive lineman Mason Richman — both former Hawkeyes — were placed on injured reserve after suffering injuries in Seattle's preseason game against the Titans. Head coach Mike Macdonald confirmed both players would miss extended time. For Richman, a tackle trying to carve out a roster spot, the timing is especially costly. The Seahawks subsequently made multiple roster moves ahead of their preseason finale against Kansas City.

Kaleb Johnson: Roster Bubble, Trade Rumors

Iowa's first-round pick in 2025 is already fighting for his NFL life. Pittsburgh Steelers running back Kaleb Johnson has been flagged as one of the more notable names on the roster cut bubble, and the situation took an unusual twist when reports emerged that the Cincinnati Bengals — a division rival — have expressed interest in acquiring him via trade. An in-division trade of a recently drafted player would be rare, but Cincinnati is sorting out its running back depth and reportedly views Johnson as a potential fit. His status heading into final cuts bears watching.

Riley Moss: Rib Scare, But Nothing Serious

Broncos cornerback Riley Moss left Denver's preseason game against the Green Bay Packers early with a rib injury, briefly raising alarms. Broncos head coach Sean Payton moved quickly to tamp down concerns, calling the injury "nothing serious," and sources confirmed to Denver-area reporters that Moss's status is not considered worrying. A full recovery before Week 1 appears likely.

Also Noted

Falcons running back Tyler Goodson scored a rushing touchdown in Atlanta's 34–6 preseason win over the Colts, and Jets safety Dane Belton is locked in a starting safety competition with Andre Cisco — a battle worth monitoring as New York finalizes its 53-man roster.

For Hawkeye fans, it's been a whirlwind week. The best news is Kittle; the worst is Seattle losing two former Iowa players before Labor Day.

Iowa's NFL alumni class is making noise across the league this August — though not always for the reasons fans would prefer. Two high-profile tight ends and a thumping linebacker have the Hawkeye faithful watching closely as the 2026 regular season approaches.

Sam LaPorta: Hip Injury Clouds Lions' Opener

Detroit's offense took an unwelcome hit when tight end Sam LaPorta surfaced with a hip injury during training camp, sitting out practices as the Lions weigh his availability for Week 1. The team's uncertainty is real: multiple reports indicate the Lions are unsure whether LaPorta will be ready for the start of the season, though head coach Dan Campbell has publicly downplayed the long-term concern.

LaPorta's absence was felt on the field — practice reps without the second-year breakout weapon expose just how central he is to Detroit's passing game. Campbell's measured optimism is a useful signal, but until LaPorta is practicing in full, his Week 1 status remains genuinely in doubt. Hawkeye fans will be monitoring every injury report between now and the opener.

George Kittle: Achilles Comeback Ahead of Schedule

The better news out of the NFC West: George Kittle is reportedly ahead of schedule in his recovery from a torn Achilles suffered in January, and the San Francisco tight end has stated publicly he has a "legitimate chance" to play in the 49ers' Week 1 matchup against the Rams. Kittle received an encouraging evaluation from renowned orthopedic surgeon Dr. Neal ElAttrache, adding credibility to the optimistic timeline.

Not everyone is convinced. Former 49ers head coach Steve Mariucci, who has spent time around Kittle, has publicly doubted the star will be ready for the opener. Kittle himself struck a candid tone, saying he wants to avoid being a "dumbass" about his recovery — implying he's aware of the risk of pushing too hard. The Achilles is the cruelest injury in football for a player whose game is built on explosive athleticism, and even an ahead-of-schedule return carries real risk. Still, the trajectory is encouraging, and Kittle's toughness and self-awareness are reasons for cautious optimism.

Jack Campbell: A Monster in Camp

While his former Hawkeye teammates navigate injury timelines, Lions linebacker Jack Campbell is delivering the cleanest story of the week. Campbell was described as an "absolute monster" during Day 16 of Detroit's training camp, dominating in a performance that reinforced his status as one of the NFL's most promising young linebackers. Campbell also drew attention for naming a signature play from his 2025 season as his personal favorite — a choice observers called both unconventional and entirely on-brand for the hard-nosed Iowa product.

With LaPorta's availability uncertain, Campbell gives Lions fans something to feel good about on the defensive side. If Detroit is going to make another deep postseason run, Campbell being at his best is non-negotiable.

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Iowa is well-represented across the league, but this week it's the LaPorta injury watch, Kittle's Achilles saga, and Campbell's camp dominance driving the conversation. The Hawkeye pipeline into the NFL has never looked healthier — now the question is how healthy its key players actually are come Week 1.

Iowa's NFL footprint is impossible to ignore as the 2026 preseason kicks off, with Hawkeye alumni generating headlines from Philadelphia to Pittsburgh to San Francisco. Here's where things stand for the most notable names.

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LaPorta's Bounce-Back Tour Begins in Detroit

The storyline surrounding Sam LaPorta entering camp was straightforward: could the Lions tight end rediscover the form that made him a standout rookie? After a back surgery cut his 2025 season short — and with his production having dipped in each year since his rookie campaign — the early returns from Detroit's training camp are encouraging. LaPorta is "starting to shake rust," per camp observers, and quarterback Jared Goff has made his feelings clear. "Sam LaPorta is a stud," Goff said. "We've got to find ways to get him the ball." That kind of public endorsement from a franchise QB heading into a contract year for the offense speaks volumes. LaPorta's health and usage will be among the more interesting subplots to track in the NFC North.

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Kittle Tracking Toward Week 1 Return

Across the country, George Kittle is on a parallel recovery arc in San Francisco. Reports out of 49ers camp indicate a "high level of confidence" that Kittle will be ready to play against the Rams in Week 1, and subsequent updates have him firmly on track. The 49ers haven't been the only ones tracking Iowa tight ends this camp — Connor Colby has also drawn attention after San Francisco shuffled its left guard rotation, with Colby taking first-team snaps alongside Carver Willis. It's a quieter path to relevance than Kittle's, but it's a path.

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Mixed News Out of Pittsburgh

Kaleb Johnson's preseason debut with the Steelers raised more questions than it answered. A morning-after breakdown of Pittsburgh's preseason opener concluded bluntly that "the writing is on the wall" for the Iowa running back, suggesting his roster standing is shakier than anticipated heading into cut-down season. Making matters worse for Hawkeye fans in Pittsburgh: Logan Lee was placed on injured reserve, ending the defensive lineman's preseason before it could get started. Two Iowa alums, two hard-luck stories in the same week for a Steelers franchise that has historically been a landing spot for Black-and-Gold products.

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DeJean Dinged in Philly; Burrow Wants All Jr. Back

In Philadelphia, Cooper DeJean was added to the Eagles' injury report alongside fellow cornerback Quinyon Mitchell. The specifics remain limited, but any health concern surrounding DeJean — who emerged as one of the more exciting young defensive backs in the league — warrants watching as the Eagles fine-tune a secondary that carries Super Bowl expectations.

Meanwhile, in Cincinnati, Joe Burrow made clear he's eager to have Erick All Jr. back in the fold. The Bengals tight end appears to be returning from a period of unavailability, and Burrow's enthusiasm is a meaningful signal in an offense that needs more reliable weapons around Ja'Marr Chase.

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Belton Fighting for a Starting Job in New York

Finally, former Giant Dane Belton crossed town to the Jets and finds himself in a tight competition for a starting safety role — one of the more pressing positional needs on New York's defense. Per reports, Belton is battling to become "the answer for one of the Jets' biggest weaknesses." It's the kind of prove-it moment the Iowa safety has been waiting for after years in a complementary role with the Giants.

Seven Hawkeyes, seven different stories. Not a bad week for Iowa City.

Three Iowa Hawkeyes are making noise as NFL training camps heat up, and the week of Aug. 2–8 gave fans plenty to follow — from a top-100 honor in Philadelphia to a comeback story in Cincinnati and a standout performance in Denver.

DeJean Cracks the NFL Top 100

Cooper DeJean's rise from second-round pick to legitimate star cornerback hit a new milestone this week: the Eagles CB was named to the 2026 NFL Top 100. The peer-voted list is one of the league's most meaningful recognition benchmarks, and landing on it after just one full season signals that opposing players around the league are taking notice. DeJean also popped up off the field — a trending video showed him walking out with country star Morgan Wallen at a recent concert, adding to a growing off-field profile that matches his on-field ascent. Philadelphia's secondary looks built to contend, and DeJean is increasingly its centerpiece.

All Jr. Finds His Confidence — With a Little Help From a Truck

Erick All Jr.'s path back from injury hasn't been easy, but the Bengals tight end found his "I'm back" moment in the most unexpected way: getting hit by a truck. As All told reporters, the collision — and the fact that he walked away from it — became a strange but genuine source of confidence in his physical recovery. That mindset appears to be translating to the practice field, where All is working to reassert himself as a reliable weapon for Joe Burrow. There's a bonus subplot in Cincinnati worth noting: All Jr. revealed that Burrow is considered the best chess player in the Bengals locker room, with the board game driving unusual team camaraderie this summer. Chess and comebacks — the Bengals' training camp has layers.

Moss Shines in Denver's Chippy Camp

Riley Moss turned heads during Day 4 of Broncos training camp, which was described as the most physical and contentious practice of the summer — complete with the first on-field skirmish. The defense dominated the session, and Moss was among the cornerbacks who held their own against Denver's offensive unit. The Broncos' front seven and secondary have been the story of early camp, and Moss appears well-positioned heading into what could be a pivotal contract year.

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Elsewhere in the Hawkeye NFL universe: George Kittle remains on the mend from an Achilles tear with the 49ers, with 49ers fans debating whether he or pass rusher Mykel Williams returns to action first. And in Green Bay, linebacker Luke Lachey was waived by the Packers as the team reshuffled its roster to make room for new additions.

Iowa's pipeline to the NFL has never looked deeper, and this week was a reminder that Hawkeye alumni show up — on rankings lists, on the injury report, and apparently, on Morgan Wallen's stage.