Northwestern freshman cornerback Nick VanHoose and senior corner Quinn Evans are unlikely to play against Iowa on Saturday, coach Pat Fitzgerald told reporters this afternoon.

The pair of defensive backs was injured in Northwestern’s 29-28 loss to Nebraska this past weekend. Evans was hobbling on the sideline and VanHoose was seen in a sling after the game.

Fitzgerald did not specify what is ailing the two players, but it is suspected that VanHoose hurt his shoulder and Evans injured his ankle. The coach said he would have an update Thursday when the official injury report is released.

On the positive side for the Wildcats, Fitzgerald said junior running back Venric Mark should be able to play against the Hawkeyes.

Mark was removed from the game by the referee after he took a big hit against the Cornhuskers. He motioned to the sideline to keep him on the field after the hit despite appearing woozy when he got up.

Mark never returned to the Nebraska contest with what is assumed to be a head injury. Fitzgerald said NU’s policy toward head injuries is to let the medical staff make every decision and then relay those decisions to the coaching staff.

— Josh Walfish