IOWA — Cade McNamara will not suit up for the Iowa Hawkeyes on Saturday against the Maryland Terrapins, but the quarterback says you haven’t seen the last of him in black and gold. On Friday afternoon, McNamara took to social media to clarify his status with the team.

“It has come to my attention that there are individuals in the media circulating rumors about my current status on the Iowa Football Team. These are ridiculous accusations and 100% false,” McNamara wrote in an Instagram post also shared on Twitter. Coach Kirk Ferentz said on his radio show earlier this week that McNamara likely wouldn’t return to play this weekend after suffering a concussion against Northwestern last month. Walk-on QB Jackson Stratton will make his first career start for the Hawkeyes in McNamara’s place.

That news lead to speculation from numerous sources that McNamara had likely played his final snap for the Hawkeyes. But McNamara says that isn’t the case.

In his social media post, McNamara confirmed that he still hasn’t put in a full week of practice since his concussion and hasn’t been cleared to play against Maryland. However, McNamara says he is still working to make it back to the field for the Hawkeyes’ regular season finale against Nebraska on Black Friday.

McNamara is in his second injury-plagued season in Iowa City after his career at the University of Michigan was cut short by injury as well. Over fiver years at the two schools, McNamara has thrown for more than 4,700 yards and 31 touchdowns against 15 interceptions.

McNamara’s full post reads:

It has come to my attention that there are individuals in the media circulating rumors about my current status on the Iowa Football Team. These are ridiculous accusations and 100% false. My status is the same as it’s always been- a proud member of this football team.

I suffered a concussion versus Northwestern and have been doing everything in my power to get back on the field. I have NOT been cleared to play yet. I was cleared to participate in practice this past Sunday but had an adverse reaction which is common for someone coming out of protocol. I have been lifting and attending meetings as much as possible but have not physically participated in practice Monday through Thursday of this week. Because of this, I am unable to travel and participate this weekend at Maryland. I have been working with the University of Iowa doctors and trainers, a concussion specialist focused on vision training, as well as engaging in hyperbaric treatments as frequent as possible. I have every intention of to play versus Nebraska next Friday night and I am confident that my teammates will return from Maryland with a win.

Go Hawks!

Cade McNamara