The last of the 13 Iowa football players who were hospitalized following a series of grueling workouts were released over the weekend, but that tremendous medical news doesn’t mean the baker’s dozen are completely out of the medical woods quite yet.
According to ESPN.com‘s Joe Schad, a family source explained that the players will not be permitted to return to workouts until blood tests show their kidney function has returned to acceptable levels. The players had been diagnosed with exertional rhabdomyolysis, a condition that affects the muscles and kidneys.
The school has yet to confirm the identities of all 13 players.The players will be treated as outpatients and will be asked to provide bloodwork every two to three days, the source said. The tests are designed to monitor how the players’ kidneys are filtering muscle breakdown material and are recovering from damage caused by stressors.
All 13 players previously tested in ranges that were well outside of normal, the source said.
Iowa announced late last week that an investigation into the situation was underway, and is to be completed toward the end of April.
Schad also reports that attorneys have been in contact with the families of the players, asking if there was any interest in filing negligence lawsuits. It’s unclear how many, if any, players have retained a lawyer.
