Iowa tight end Luke Lachey underwent right ankle surgery on Tuesday and could miss the remainder of the season.
Lachey was injured during Saturday's 41-10 rout of Western Michigan.
"I feel most badly for him," Hawkeyes coach Kirk Ferentz said Tuesday. "Obviously, he's the person most affected. It's just an unfortunate development. He'll be fine here in time, but it's a significant injury. He'll be out for quite a while."
Lachey leads Iowa with 10 receptions for 131 yards. Last season, he had 28 receptions for 398 yards and four touchdowns.
Lachey is the son of Jim Lachey, a former All-American offensive tackle at Ohio State star who also was a three-time NFL Pro Bowl selection.
No. 24 Iowa (3-0) will also be without running backs Kaleb Johnson (ankle) and Jaziun Patterson (lower leg) for Saturday's Big Ten opener at No. 7 Penn State.
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