The ISU football team’s kicking performance in Saturday’s 17-10 loss to No. 16 University of Iowa left Cyclone fans asking one big question — when will kicker Tony Yelk be ready to play again?

If anyone has the answer, let head coach Dan McCarney know.

In Monday’s Big 12 coaches teleconference, McCarney said Yelk’s return from his pulled muscle is nearly impossible to predict.

“With sprained ankles or [arthroscopic surgery], you can usually work with a pretty accurate timeline for recovery,” McCarney said.

“With this thing, it’s gone on since July and I have no Idea when it’s going to be healed up.”

McCarney said Yelk has had practices where his leg has felt good but the pain keeps returning.

“He’s been practicing and it’ll feel good for a couple of days, but then it’s sore again,” McCarney said.

“It really and truly is day-to-day with him. We’ll just have to see how he feels and when he can start swinging that leg full speed again.”

Yelk’s replacement — freshman walk-on Brian Jansen — struggled Saturday, making only one of four field goals, but McCarney said he’s still the team’s best option.

“We love him; how would you like to be tossed into that deal?” McCarney said.

“We put Brian in there, he’s the best we have; he did hit a good field goal but obviously missed some. We’re not going to desert him — if Tony’s not ready to go then Brian’s just got to be more consistent for us, and I think he can be.”

Adding to McCarney’s frustration is how well Yelk was kicking this spring before he was injured, he said.

“He had a real good spring and was very accurate and very consistent,” McCarney said. “That’s why I felt so good about our PATs, field goals, kickoffs and punting because he was going to handle all of those chores and here he’s done none of it in two games.”

Regardless of Yelk’s health, McCarney said he can’t let that distract him from preparing for this Saturday’s game against Northern Illinois.

“Surgery can’t take care of a pulled muscle and I can’t tell you when he’ll be ready to go,” McCarney said.

“We just have to be ready without him, cause there’s a good chance he could not be available.”