Michigan State will be without Dion Sims this week

Michigan State will be without tight end Dion Sims when it takes on the Iowa Hawkeyes on Sunday, coach Mark Dantonio confirmed on Tuesday. Sims sprained his ankle in the Spartans' 31-27 win over the Indiana Hoosiers on Saturday.

Sims is Michigan State's leading receiver thus far this season with 24 receptions for 313 yards and two touchdowns. With Sims out, the Spartans will start either Paul Lang, Andrew Gleichert, or Derek Hoebing in his place. Combined, those three players have two receptions for 12 yards this season.

Sims had to leave the Indiana game after suffering the injury and did not record a catch before leaving. Dantonio ruled him out for the Iowa game, but would not speculate on Sims' availability for the Oct. 20 game against the Michigan Wolverines.

Michigan State (4-2, 1-1) takes on Iowa (3-2, 1-0) at noon ET on Saturday at Spartan Stadium.