A day after Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel predicted that quarterback Nico Iamaleava would be in “great shape” for Saturday’s Georgia game, a report has cast some doubt on that assessment.
According to ESPN’s Pete Thamel, Iamaleava is in concussion protocol after leaving Saturday’s game against Mississippi State with what the program called an upper-body injury. Per the report, Iamaleava did dress and practice on Tuesday. His status for Saturday’s showdown against Georgia is unclear.
On Monday, Heupel painted an optimistic picture regarding the status of his quarterback, who sat the second half of Saturday’s game after suffering his injury.
“He was with us today,” Heupel said. “Had a really good day. I feel like he’ll be in great shape for Saturday. You guys can monitor whatever the report is that comes out on Wednesday and track it throughout the week. But it certainly feels like he’ll be in a good spot.”
No. 6 Tennessee will face No. 11 Georgia in Athens on Tuesday night in a game with the potential to knock either team out of the College Football Playoff race. Georgia enters Saturday’s game with a 7-2 record and fresh off a 28-10 loss to Mississippi.
Tennessee is 8-1 and in prime shape to make the CFP field if it finishes its season without another loss. The Vols close their regular season against unranked UTEP and Vanderbilt after facing Georgia.
Iamaleava sustained what the team deemed an upper-body injury in the first half of Saturday’s 33-14 win over Mississippi State. Per ESPN, Iamaleava was evaluated by doctors for concussion-like symptoms.
Heupel did not discuss injury specifics on Monday or speak with media on Tuesday. Tennessee is scheduled to release an official injury report on Wednesday.
Iamaleava returned late in the first half after apparently sustaining the injury. But he did not play in the second half as backup quarterback Gaston Moore closed out the game.
It’s not clear when Iamaleava suffered his injury. He took two hits in the first half that caused his head to hit the turf.
ESPN reported this was the play Nico Iamaleava was injured on, according to what the broadcast team was told by Tennessee trainers.
Just before the Max Gilbert kicked a 24-yard field goal.
Iamaleava stayed in the game on the next drive.
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— @GrantRamey (@GrantRamey) November 10, 2024
Heupel said after the game that he expected Iamaleava to be ready for this week’s game against Georgia, a stance that he reiterated after Monday’s practice session. Kickoff against Georgia is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET on Saturday.